Never Never Never Give Up!

We hear this phrase time and time again but the sad reality is – many people are simply going through their lives bored, frustrated and unhappy and some are suffering when they absolutely don’t need to be.

This quote from Benjamin Franklin is unfortunately, often true. “Most people die at 25 but are buried at 75”

People are constantly looking outside of themselves for their happiness and fulfillment and can live their whole lives without realizing that true, lasting happiness only comes from within and never from outside sources. Yes, we can experience (temporary) joy and happiness from being with others, from friendships, family, children, animals, careers etc but what happens when we’re by ourselves, with no outer entertainment or stimulation?

Can you sit quietly with yourself – no phone or devices, no people? Just you – sitting alone, tuning into yourself, being still and quiet?

When we discover and practice inner peace, which brings inner happiness, we become aware that we can actually live lives of great joy. We come to know ourselves better and develop clarity on what we want to do with our lives.  Then we can turn our dreams into accomplishments and successes regardless of the challenges we face.

No-one needs to live a life of mediocrity, simply managing and not flourishing.

I speak from experience and I am a great example of never giving up.

For over twenty years, I suffered with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and chronic Asthma plus a whole lot of other stuff that was given labels by professionals in the medical field and natural healing modalities. I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety and PTSD.  Looking back, I had many health challenges from early childhood onwards, but it wasn’t until my middle years that it all became horribly debilitating, painful, exhausting and my life changed dramatically.

I’ve always been an exercise, outdoors type but over time I found myself unable to exercise – I couldn’t even manage to practice my beloved QiGong and Tai Chi and walking with our dogs was not possible. I’d sit in the car or on the grass and watch (often with great sadness) while my husband walked the dogs.  Socializing and going out with friends became overwhelmingly difficult to impossible and all but a few friends left my life over time. I had food allergies galore and strong sensitivities to smells, sounds, certain places (like medical clinics!) and I became mainly housebound and often bed or couch bound.

When I tried, and believe me, I kept trying, I’d collapse in a heap with bone crushing exhaustion (ME/CFS is way beyond what most people experience as tiring or exhausting), pain, sickness and could barely get to the bathroom let alone leave the bedroom or the house.  So I learnt to manage as best I could with the lifestyle I now had.

Fortunately, my dear Mum always taught me to think as positively as possible and ‘count my blessings’ as she used to tell me regularly, so I did. I kept looking for the positives in every day and every situation, despite constantly feeling like I was dying and I especially focused on the good I had in my life, such as a safe and comfortable home, a lovely bedroom, (a bathroom right next to my bedroom became my best friend!) fresh food, clean water, my wonderful, kind husband who became my only carer, my gorgeous animal family and a few dear friends .

No, I didn’t feel great and there were many times along the way where I thought I didn’t want to be here anymore, especially as I’m in my senior years and I’ve experienced the deaths of many loved ones, including saying good-bye to so many animals and it often all seemed pointless as my lifestyle was so limited and appeared to be without purpose.

But I never gave up. I kept the spark alive – as my husband told me often, “the spark is still in you dear and you’ll find a way to flourish again”.

I kept meditating daily (which I’ve been doing since my first class in the 1970’s), and seeking ways to get better and eventually, after all the Doctors, Naturopaths, Chiropractors, Herbalists, alternative ‘healers’ of all kinds, Nutritionists, Dieticians, Psychologists and more I’ve most likely forgotten, I found my solution and although some of these Practitioners were somewhat helpful, (especially my Chiro, but many were the opposite) my recovery didn’t come from ‘out there’ but from within my own body, (which is what chiropractic adjustments help with).

The brain! What an absolutely awesome organ it is and if you learn how it originally got stuck in sickness mode and then how to change it back to great health mode (whether physical, mental or emotional) vibrant good health and well-being is not only possible, but extremely achievable.

I’m now back to walking 30-40 mins daily with our dogs and on my own, I’ve started jogging. I’m practicing my QiGong for 20-30 mins daily, I can do housework, cooking (that didn’t change – I still hate cooking – but at least I can do it!)  I’m eating what I love (keeping it healthy and high nutrition), can now eat out and I have no reactions and I’m breathing more freely.  I tossed out the pills and potions I was taking as I don’t need any of them. Even though most of them were herbal and/or ‘natural’, what a huge relief that is! (and better financially too!) I’m just using a few basics to keep up my immune system.

So the message I’d love you to take from reading a bit of my story is please, please, please, check where you’ve given up or given in on your dreams of what you really want from your life (and your body) and if you’re interested in learning what I did, check out the Lightning Process – it’s the most powerful, effective training I’ve ever undertaken and I’d highly recommend it for anyone wanting to not just live, but to flourish. Ian Cleary (in Australia) is my teacher and I’m filled with gratitude for him and his incredible experience and knowledge, yet simple, easy to understand and relaxed, compassionate  teaching method.  http://iancleary.com/the-lightning-process

Never give up, keep trying no matter what and Every Day Gets Better.