Forgiveness

Okay, this is a big one. I wrote about acceptance last week and now forgiveness..... it seems I am in therapy with myself! Over the years I have related to this theme more and more. It feels so hard to forgive those 'who trespass against you'. (How powerful is the Lords prayer? It says it all, really.) However I have found forgiveness extraordinary.

A few weeks ago I found myself in a situation where I was ANGRY! I felt hard done by, forgotten and used. Old emotions came up in me regarding another situation where I had felt the same things. I fortunately called a friend of mine, who could relate to the situation, who lovingly 'walked' me through my emotions. At the end of the conversation she told I have to forgive this person: I had to talk to this person and tell them I forgive them. Initially I was scared to do this, I knew I could forgive this person, but could I actually sit with them and tell them?

I made the appointment, met, told my story without blame and told the person I forgave them. This was so powerful on so many levels for me and the person involved:

1) I meant it, I truly forgave and put my issues behind me.

2) The other person thanked me for my honesty and honouring our friendship.

3) A weight was lifted from my shoulders and I felt, still feel, lighter for it.

4) I also forgave myself for taking so long to honour these feelings in me, and I meant that too.

Confrontation is not easy for many people, but speaking your truth in a loving way, owning your feelings and emotions is a powerful experience in responsibility. However, forgiveness of yourself and others creates harmony and deepens relationships.

Acceptance

Over the years acceptance has become a powerful tool and form of healing in my clinic as well as outside of it in my private and personal life.

In the last couple of weeks I have seen some patients who have really needed to come to a place of acceptance of themselves and others. Below is a picture of one woman's very recent journey:

A woman who has had a truly horrendous life, initially came to me to come off of anti depressants. This was done with relative ease, using Homoeoapthy and twice monthly appointments. She managed to work with her panic attacks and restlessness using remedies initially and then with her own strength of mind. She has had to face many 'demons' along the way, sometimes it is easier than others, but she sees the benefit of feeling again and using her own innate intuition.This is a journey that is both empowering and humbling to do. I was very happy with her progress, as was she. Part of her journey has been about accepting her old self, to know that was her then and not who she is now.

To know that these parts of ourselves help us heal, help us have compassion for others as well as ourselves. We cannot 'cut' out these parts of ourselves, we can only accept that time was part of the person who is here, right now. We are the sum of all our histories not just the 'bad' bits.

A gift.

Nearly 14 years ago I gave birth to my oldest son.

My pregnancy was one of great joy and learning. During my pregnancy my son gave me the gift of sight: I began to see auras around people and living objects I also began to see beings, this has not left me. I believe he has bestowed gifts on me that only he could unlock.

As he crowned, his name came into my mind in blazing letters: ISSAC. As he lay there in the hospital, he did not cry, he just gurgled and laughed. When his dad and I looked into the name we found it meant 'he who melts the ice of the heart'. I truly believe that he told me his name.

When our children come, in whatever form, they bring everything they need. We learn the tools of parenting and guiding with them and through them. Our greatest resource is love.

Blessings to all parents, everywhere, for we are doing the most important work: bringing children into this, sometimes crazy and scary, world and giving them the tools and gifts to be amazing people, as they give us the tools and gifts to be amazing people too.

Walk before you can run

Slow down people! Slow down. I have spent the last couple of weeks in practice trying to explain that things come at the right time and not before. Shame we seem to be under an illusion that we can have anything we want, anytime, any place, anywhere....

So on that note I have to share a moment I had years ago when I was newly a single mum and rather alone in the world, the world was upon my shoulders and I felt it! I worried about the rent, the food, the car, the 'can I support my children'. It really worried me. Then one day as I worried about these things I noticed that the rent was paid, the fridge had food in it, the car had fuel and I was, actually, supporting my children. When this overwhelming worry came upon me again I checked the rent (paid), fridge (had food), car (had petrol) and I was, actually, supporting my children.

I noticed that the worrying made me stop enjoying life: the sunsets, the children's smiles and the little things I missed for the BIG worries. I had to walk first before I could run, I had to trust first before I could see that I am capable and I am (and I still am).

So when you are worried, frustrated or overwhelmed and you think that things should change, look around your own life, see that it is changing that you are coping. You are the driver of your life and you have the tools. Use them.

My responsiblity?

For most of my 'homoeopathic' life and in my life I have felt responsible towards others and their healing journey.
It is a strange thing that I should feel so responsible, when I am aware that I do my best in each moment. However, last week in a clinic full of children (same family), I experienced something that I now know to be self-respect. As I sat there taking case notes and observing the family, a feeling of space settled on me. I felt that I was doing my 'job' and they where doing their 'job' and that I was not aware of wanting to try and take control.
I realised that in doing what I had been doing in the past I had not allowed self-respect for myself or for others. I humbly accept this learning and hope that I continue to grow in all areas of my life.

Disease = Health

Often when I am asked to explain how Homoeopathy works I realise that it is a supportive health modality. That it is not about stopping things (disease), it is about assisting to a positive outcome (health)...whatever that is!

I shall attempt to explain: when treating someone with an acute disease lets say a fever I would possibly give Belladonna (see below),  the fever might be arrested, but I have seen many, many times the fever will continue to run until it has broken and the patient is not in discomfort (dis-ease, they generally sleep off the fever/acute); the fever must run it's course, not be stopped in its tracks, then health is achieved. I have seen time and time again that when a fever (or another acute) is suppressed then the patient suffers from low grade health, they just don't feel themselves, it can be seen in tiredness, irritability, lack of joy for life etc etc. When there is health you can see it and the person feels it.

Because most of us have schooled to think that
a) there is a pill for every ill
b) that the pill will stop the disease
Most will not go through 'the eye of the needle', but rather take something to stop the pain and keep going. We all need change, we all need discharge (see blog better out than in, 5th April 2012)!

So many times I have seen profound change when a person does a disease properly: which means not stopping it or avoiding it but actually being ill and allowing the discharge to come out. That is muck out of the body, you are cleaning out! A spring clean! The body (mind and spirit) is AMAZING.


Belladonna (some of the symptoms that you can use it for):

Sudden, violent onset
Redness
Burning, heat
Patient is hot to the touch
Sensitive to light, touch, taste and noise
Can be bad tempered
Can twitch and moan with fever
Parts of the body can be red, dry and very hot.
No thirst
Swelling of boils, carbuncles, that are red and hot to the touch.
Sunstroke
Scarlet fever
Dilated shining pupils
Babies can suffer convulsions during teething.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

Vaccination is a subject that is possibly one of  the most emotive decisions that many new parents have to make. In practice I advise parents about informed decisions. I encourage them to read into and talk to others about vaccines. When you talk to the Doctor/GP they will advise you TO vaccinate and tell you about disease, being irresponsible and statistics. When you talk to a Homoeopath they will advise you NOT to vaccinate and will tell you about immune system, health and sanitation. What a mine field when all you want is the best for your child. 

This has to be a decision that both parents make, it has to be informed, and both of you need to agree. You are responsible for your child’s life and therefore health, so you must take these decisions, the first of many, together. 

Raising a child to an adult is one of the most rewarding and challenging things that can happen to a person. In my opinion you must look at all the influences that may occur in your child’s life; how you choose to be pregnant (!) and birth your child is obliviously first; breastfeeding, vaccination and therefore health, toys, TV or not TV, discipline/manners, schooling, technology, consumerism, growing food; organic or non-organic and therefore shopping; where you put your vote (money) are some of the decisions you might consider.

Each generation is different from their parent’s generation, we have learnt from them how to do things differently, how to look at the world differently. Our children are not ours: all we can do is our best and bring them up to become responsible for themselves and therefore the world around them. This is our challenge: this is our responsibility as parents. Don’t be afraid, be brave to make informed decisions on behalf of your child/ren and know you are always doing your best, in each moment.