tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254079236727682582024-03-13T00:16:28.285-07:00The Median of InfinityThe Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-87535070025098088072019-04-14T09:39:00.000-07:002019-04-14T09:39:34.121-07:00Truth<br />
"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."<br />
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Albert Einstein<br />
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Truth, we all know what it is...it is visceral, it is sensation without language, it is knowing with clarity, without knowing why.<br />
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We all have an inner compass, a true north, a solid core of being...it's a voice below language, at the level of sensation. It feels strong and solid, and runs through each of us, it grounds us to the earth below, like a steel beam, a magnet, a vibrational resonance.<br />
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To feel the truth, we must be centered squarely in the body, in physical sensation. We must be out of the noise and langue of our minds, of our analytical, rational, language centered left hemispheres. Our rational mind argues that truth is based on facts, research, on proofs and laws and rules and language...the rational mind has the power of language at its disposal. But truth is more than facts and laws and rules, and so often facts, laws, rules and words override the sensational, the wordless, the patterns, the creativity and life that are essential to the discernment of truth.<br />
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When we experience physical or emotion pain, we escape into the comfort of the rational mind,...we live in our heads, rationalizing, analyzing, searching for security in laws in rules, in those things that are known, and known strictly on an intellectual level. If things are bad enough, we will find ourselves, obsessing, ruminating, solving and resolving endless problems in an endless mind loop. We might tell stories, about ourselves and our lives, that are not true. They ring hollow but justify the mysterious suffering we may be feeling...we cling to our stories for the mental construct and security they give us. We are great story tellers, but stories are just that...and we can tell great stories about why our lives are as they are, but they are not true. Stories are not true unless they are laced with metaphor and meaning. So we might search for meaning in our stories, but never find the truth, until, like a dream, they become deeper metaphors for our lives and in the metaphor we discern the truth.<br />
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If things are bad enough and we are quite young, trauma will literally result in a "split" personality, with several versions of self coming through at different stages and aspects of life..this is dissociation.<br />
I would argue that all of us spend most of our time in a relatively dissociated state...detached from our bodies, and up in our heads, solving complex problems in our work, escaping pain or sensation, distracted by a very large and noisy world.<br />
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Living in our heads, looking outward for security and truth, takes us away from our true north, our intuition, our deep knowing.<br />
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"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players..:" -William Shakespeare<br />
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Have you ever had to memorize a speech or acted in play while in school? At first, motivated by the anxiety of forgetting our words, we memorize the words. We might write them down, or repeat them out loud over and over. We are concerned with getting the language right, of saying each word in correct order and sequence, without mistake or falter. But then something happens. We start to assimilate the words, we begin to attach meaning and emotion, we start to read the message and understand the metaphor...we discern a deeper meaning, and we make those words ours...we embody the words, the message, and the more we embody them, the better that we can convey our experience, our life, our truth into that universal truth....and deliver it like a lead actor in a Shakespeare play...with authority, we can say, and believe, that .."all the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players..." we make those words our own...truth rings a bell. <br />
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So many of us climb up into our heads and bathe in the elixir of language...we believe our words over truth, Because the truth doesn't live in a rational mind, it lives it a mind of sensation and embodiment, it lives in patterns and the whole, not in the sum of its parts.<br />
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Our true north. Our inner compass starts in earth beneath our feet, and rises, vertically through the crown of our head ( our crown chakra), and crosses horizontally between our arms. Where those lines intersect, is our compass and our cross. It is us. Connected to earth, and rising towards the heavens, running east to west, that is where you and You meet. This is sacred. This is truth. This is where you know you are an aspect of God, a creation of the highest order, a flaming arrow of power of light of life. This is your sacredness and your power and your strength. You are divine.<br />
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So many times we lose our truth, our connection to self. When we are little and we sense that somehow our mother is suffering and has lost her way, we start to sacrifice little bits of ourselves, to help her. We try not to make trouble, to cry, to show her that her sadness is making us sad. We want her to feel better, so that we can feel better. We help her. We hide our suffering and pain, because we need her in order to survive. Then we learn to do this with our friends. We need them, we make little self sacrifices in order to fit in , to be loved, to be happy. We do this over and over again, throughout our lives, we are called caring, empathic and nurturing. We take care of others feelings and sufferings and pain over our own. We give away little pieces of ourselves until they become large chunks and gaping holes in our souls, and we start looking for salvation in the problems and pains of others. We get sick. We lose our ability to create.<br />
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Or we experience trauma, physical, or emotional, it doesn't matter. Big trauma, where we remember the one defining moment where time stood still. We stop growing, and our life takes on a timeline of rational thought, story telling, and analytical thinking, occupying only our heads, and completely dissociated from our body. Or we have 1000 paper cuts of unhealed injuries that created thick scars of blocked energy that cannot move. We become frozen in time, caught in a loop of triggers that fire every day. Until we heal them. We get sick. We lose our ability to create<br />
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We are meant to move forward, we are meant to grow and create and move freely...all of us, and all of us within. When we get stuck, we age, we move forward on a timeline, but we don't grow and create and thrive. Creativity comes to a standstill. We get sick. We lose our ability to create.<br />
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We become gaping wounds, empty holes, disfigured scars, looking for love,validation, and identity out in the big noisy world...we might find it, a cause, a dog fight, a war. We can distract ourselves from our scarred innards, and take up arms in the war. We attach to and believe things that distract us, that are outside or ourselves, because the insides don't make sense. or don't work. It's everyone's problem to solve, not ours alone. We give up our power, and eagerly hand it over to doctors, psychiatrists, researchers and politicians, people who've convinced us that they hold the keys to the kingdom. You stay sick. But now you are angry. You're ready to fight for your ability to remain sick and powerless. You stop living.<br />
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<br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-76086191417723844432018-09-22T06:34:00.000-07:002018-09-22T06:36:44.018-07:00Body Psychotherapy<br />
Kyle L Davies and I will be presenting at the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy Conference in November! We will be talking about our ground breaking work with clients who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Pain, and Fibromyalgia. Kyle will also talk about his book, <i> The Intelligent Body.</i><br />
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The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-91093254263764428722018-05-31T13:52:00.000-07:002018-05-31T13:52:44.011-07:00Healing Pain and FatigueIf you've read through my blog posts you might find snippets about healing chronic fatigue syndrome, and my own journey from ill health, characterized by severe adrenal fatigue, to healing and abundant energy. In fact, in middle age I have more energy now than I did when I was in my twenties.<br />
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The secret to healing debilitating pain and fatigue is surprisingly simple. And I know that this is hard to believe when you can barely get out of bed, take a shower, and get dressed. I know this because when I was sick just getting out of bed to take a shower would exhaust me and I would have to lay down and rest before heading downstairs for breakfast. And then some days I couldn't even get out of bed. I was sick. Really sick. And there was no doctor out there that could really help me.<br />
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But I got better, over the course of a few months. And in my mind it was nothing short of miraculous.<br />
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The answer is simple. Listen to your body. Take note of the days you can't get out of bed, and then the days you can. Take note of the conversations that lead you drained, fatigued, and headed back to bed. Take note of the times you feel energized. If you have CFS or Adrenal Fatigue or Fibromyalgia, you will notice that some days, weeks and months are better than others. It seems so random at the time...you never know when or if you will have energy. And then when you do have energy you run around doing all the things you haven't been able to do, and then you crash and burn, not knowing when or if your energy will return.<br />
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But if you take note of your symptoms, you will start to find a pattern, a rhythm. a method to the madness of your illness.<br />
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Because your illness is talking to you. It has depth and a meaning and a message. It speaks in code, and if you can manage to decipher the code, to dialogue with your illness, and start to listen to your body on a deep level, you can heal.<br />
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<br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-83301034738720747462018-05-31T13:20:00.000-07:002018-05-31T13:20:59.278-07:00Hot ThoughtsIt's hot outside. I'm in hot yoga class so it's hot inside too. I'm lying face down on my mat, in reverse pigeon pose. It always come at the end of class, so I'm tired, and particularly sweaty. Tonight, I am watching balls of sweat slowly dripping from my cheek onto my mat...I'm enjoying watching them because somehow each perfectly formed ball contains a sliver of light, and I enjoy watching this light filled ball of fluid drip slowly from my cheek to the mat.<br />
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Amy is my favorite yoga teacher of all time. In a class of 40 people she knows me. She knows my name. She knows if I move my mat from week to week from the back to the front of the classroom. And most importantly to me, she knows when I haven't been in class, and she asks where I've been. Recently it's because I've been traveling. But I just love this about her. She is also a great story teller...we know all about her family, her growing up in a small town in the west, her rugby playing, her dad. So as I'm watching the sweat drip off of my face I'm also listening to Amy.<br />
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Now, Amy struggles a lot with her mind...she talks about it often.....tonight is no exception. She's deep into the "mind mastery" thing, and I can feel the tension start to rise in my body, and I'm wondering if some of the sweat is from not just heat and exertion, but from frustration. I was starting to get hopeful for a moment because Amy was describing how she is ( like me) a purely physical person, and experiences spirituality through the body.Yay! This sounds promising! Go Amy! But then she starts talking about taming the mind ( sigh, from me, drip drip of light filled balls of sweat ), and so we listen to the story of a Buddhist whose name sounds something like Sri Devi....it turns out that Sri Devi likens the mind to an elephant ( I forget why), but that in order to tame the mind you must first do no harm, and second do good works...thats nice! I agree...all good stuff...but how did the wiseman Sri Devi miss the point? Or did we? ( I just googled and I'm not sure I'm spelling his name right, but he might be a Buddhist god ( not sure!) I'm encouraged as Amy goes on to talk about how the body feels when we do no harm and intentionally do good works. Most of us will feel openness, and expansion in the body. Openness and expansion in the body, will lead to openness and expansion in life. This is good! To me, this should be the beginning and the end of the story, and the struggle. <i>The body informs the mind.</i> And perhaps that was what the Buddhist was getting at. But what my dear teacher seems to be missing is this...the mind is inconsequential. It's the relationship between mind and body that needs to be tamed. The body informs the mind. The mind competes for attention. It wants to rule. It wants to direct our lives ( think ego). I think "mind mastery" is futile. When we give up the desire to control the mind, and live our lives from the body, from body intelligence, the need to control or change the mind will stop.<br />
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For a moment or two I think Amy gets it...she's talking about how when she does good things for other people, when she is in service to others, she feels expansive... her body feels expansive and open...and I want to say yes! follow the bodily sensation....but at the end of class, disappointment flows through my body. My heart sinks, as she says we must be eternally vigilant of our thoughts , our minds...I grab my towel and wipe the sweat off my face, hoping for eternal patience. I feel disappointed, but grateful for my teacher.<br />
<br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-50378002132536820302018-05-28T18:23:00.000-07:002018-05-28T18:24:53.826-07:00<br />
This is a wonderful guest blog post about one woman's experiences with medication and cognitive behavioral therapy after the death of her one year old son. Her experience reflects my own beliefs that cognitive behavioral therapy often leads to more harm, than help, and how we need a broader and more holistic approach to healing pain and fatigue and resolving grief.<br />
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Although this story is not about the trauma I have suffered, more the after effects and years of
battling debilitating symptoms, I feel, however, there is a benefit to knowing my personal story. My
only child died in 2012 aged one. Subsequently, as you can well imagine, my life was turned upside
down. I would discover later that the real battle was inside of me and not with this very personal
bereavement itself, or the environment surrounding this incredibly difficult time. Yes my son had
died, I’m a devastated, now what?
On so many levels I felt as a mother I was expected to perform, act, behave and grieve in a certain
way. I mean, I didn’t want to be perceived as one of those crack pots in the community, one of those
“crazy” people who had officially lost their mind, by not conforming to the standard stereotype of a
grieving mother. However, this behaviour, and pressure to conform, (not the actual grief itself) was
the beginning of my unravelling.
I very quickly developed numbness, a complete lack of emotion. My body and brain began to shut
down. I developed depressive symptoms and was given medication for depression by my G.P. who
also referred me for CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). My CBT sessions lasted 2 years on and off
and focused on the details of the death of my son. The horrible moments. The moments no parent
ever wants to live through, never mind revisit in therapy. This reliving work was so damaging it only
served to increase my anguish and panic attacks tenfold. I was ruminating about painful events in my
head over and over, making me less and less of a productive human being, and more and more
zombie like.
The attempts to medicate my symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, low mood, and lack of motivation,
were failing and only served to exacerbate the numbness I was experiencing. I desperately needed
something else, something different, something that could help me move from the debilitating space
of intolerable pain and anguish that I was occupying. I was then introduced to a new approach that
was more somatic and psycho-spiritual than cognitive. Rather than viewing emotion as a mental
process, I learned that emotion is a non-conscious complex physiological process that effects most of
the body and brain. When this emotion remains unprocessed the result is a potentially diverse range
of physical and psychological symptoms.
The argument being that the symptoms are not pathological invaders, they are helpful messengers. I
had clearly blocked my emotions and attempts at altering my thinking patterns had proved futile at
best. With this new information, it became clear why my body was creating the symptoms. That is to
say, instead of looking at my symptoms with negativity, or something that was happening to me, I
began to view them as messages from my body, trying to communicate to me internally.
For the first time I understood that my body was trying to tell me that I wasn’t allowing myself to
fully feel. The attempts that I had been making to resolve my symptoms were just obstacles to my
recovery because they were inhibiting my ability to feel and get on with life. I learned that I needed
to move forward in my life and allow myself to have the experience of being me. I began by
compiling a list of fun things that I could do, that would be an achievement for me, like reading a
book in the garden for an hour, because I wanted to. I began to feel better. I began to feel I was
taking control of my life again, but I knew there was so much more to do.
My feelings and emotions had been numbed by the medications and suppressed subconsciously. I
knew I was going to have to learn to feel again, but I had no idea where to start. In truth, I didn’t
want to feel, feelings scared me. What’s more I could see that I was scared of being scared; I was
afraid of fear. I was terrified that I wouldn’t be able to cope, that I’d be overwhelmed, or that I’d
drown in a sea of negative feelings, or worse still, that I would I completely lose my mind.
I still struggle with this fear, but as the saying goes, “face the fear, and do It anyway”. I knew that in
order to live again and move beyond these paralysing symptoms of depression and fatigue, I was
going to have to learn to process my experience of life through feelings, to allow myself to fully feel.
This was a totally alien concept to me, but with help I was able to begin acknowledging emotions and
allowing them. As I did, I began to feel much more connected to the real me, I experienced what I
can only describe as a consciousness shift. By allowing myself to experience uncomfortable emotions
such as anger, fear, grief, shame, and guilt, the crippling fear of them dissipated along with the all the
symptoms I had been experiencing. I now feel a sense of freedom to experience these emotions
without judgement or resistance, and I don’t care if people perceive me as a “crazy” person, because
I no longer perceive myself like this. I now trust in my emotions, feelings, and intuitions to guide me
through my life, this new life, a life after my beloved son, a new authentic life, as a mother who
desperately misses her son, but is at peace with herself.The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-8786880388720886792018-03-18T05:16:00.000-07:002018-03-18T05:16:23.541-07:00The Meaning of Fatigue<br />
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Your fatigue means something. British psychologist Kyle Davies, author of <i>The Intelligent Body, Reversing Chronic Fatigue and Pain From The Inside Out,</i> explains the meaning of fatigue in this guest post.<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">The Meaning of
Fatigue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">That groggy fatigue you experience when you
suffer from CFS, Adrenal Fatigue, Fibromyalgia of even depression, can hit you
like a steam train out of nowhere, leaving you wondering what the hell
happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Chances are you’ll be checking your diet,
your supplements, and your sleep. And when you do you’ll be missing the most
important element that sneaks in the back door and pulls the rug out from
underneath you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Let’s look at this in a little more detail.
I have just finished working with a client who was concerned about the sudden
onset of groggy symptoms fatigue following a period of far fewer symptoms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Because Energy-Flow Coaching approaches
wellbeing by addressing somatic, sensory, cognitive, and psycho-spiritual
elements, we recognise that understanding every problem, every symptom is
almost like building a puzzle, putting the pieces together one by one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">So, what did we uncover for this client?
The onset of symptoms arose at a time of additional responsibilities owing to
the ill-health of a family member. When addressing the situation, it was
immediately apparent that my client couldn’t simply stop helping out; her
mother was in hospital and there was a variety of tasks that needed to be
completed and errands run. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">If we can’t change what we do, we have to
change the way we do it, our level of consciousness. The first step for my
client was to take responsibility for her actions, to make conscious decisions
about what she was doing rather than simply doing what she thought she ‘should’
or going along with what other family members wanted her to do. That meant
doing things in a way and to a timescale that suited her. It also meant seeking
to utilise the time as an opportunity. Rather than sitting in her car stuck in
a mental loop cursing the obligations and increasing symptoms, she needed to
begin being present in the ‘now’ and using that car time to catch up on some
podcasts she had lined up but hadn’t had chance to listen to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It is very easy to slip into a disempowered
space of thinking that you ‘have’ to do something that you really don’t want to
do. The knock-on effect of this for my client was that she entered a frenetic
state of consciousness whereby she was frantically driving herself forward to
fulfil obligations, completely detached from her feeling body. The more
detached she became the more she ventured north into her head and got stuck in
recursive and destructive mind-loops, pushing herself further and further into
discomfort. This was exacerbated by pressure from other family members who
tended to take a superior stance and issue orders. The energetic environment
created by relationships with other family members provided an opportunity to
step into empowerment once again and set boundaries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">As we can see, the cause of the fatigue
could be found in several areas, all relating to emotion and misalignment with
true self. Despite the discomfort involved, understanding that emotions and
symptoms are trying to get our attention and guide us back to our ‘home base’
is vitally important. It is only when we understand this that we can begin to
unpick the messages behind the symptoms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-16947662350539236442018-01-18T15:38:00.000-08:002018-01-18T15:38:30.131-08:00How I Recovered From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome<header class="entry-header" style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.71429rem 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 class="entry-title" style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: maroon; font-family: Roboto, serif; font-size: 1.857rem; font-weight: normal; hyphens: none; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
Book Review: Listening to Your Body to Achieve Healing</h2>
</header><div class="description" style="border: 0px; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; hyphens: none; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
Millions suffer from chronic pain and fatigue. A new book argues that the mind-body connection and our natural restorative capacities are best for healing.</div>
<div class="entry-content" style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.71429; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://medshadow.org/features/listening-body-chronic-fatigue/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; color: #0d5b91; float: left; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Book Review: Listening to Your Body to Achieve Healing"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-post-image" height="324" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" src="https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/human-body.jpg" srcset="https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/human-body.jpg 625w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/human-body-90x47.jpg 90w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/human-body-280x145.jpg 280w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/human-body-193x100.jpg 193w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/human-body-50x26.jpg 50w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/human-body-75x39.jpg 75w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/human-body-624x323.jpg 624w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/human-body-215x111.jpg 215w" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="625" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #353535; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif;"></span><div id="pub-date" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(128, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #353535; float: left; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 26px 20px 4px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 206.141px;">
<div style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By Sabrina Numann</span></div>
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 10px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Published: January 17, 2018</span><br /><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Last updated: January 18, 2018</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #353535; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #353535; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.07143rem; line-height: 1.71429; margin-bottom: 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This book had me rethinking how I think, or even not think. To this day, it has me reconsidering how my mind, body and soul work together for harmony. <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+intelligent+body" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #0d5b91; font-size: 17.1429px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Intelligent Body: Reversing Chronic Fatigue From the Inside Out</a> reminded me of a combination of readings I’ve come to know and love: the <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Conversations-God-Uncommon-Dialogue-Book/dp/0399142789/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1516310864&sr=8-1" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #0d5b91; font-size: 17.1429px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Conversations with God</a> books, <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Ra-Material-Ancient-Astronaut-Speaks/dp/089865260X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516310967&sr=8-1&keywords=the+law+of+one+the+ra+material" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #0d5b91; font-size: 17.1429px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Law of One: Ra Material</a> and also <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 17.1429px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Law of Attraction</em>.</div>
<div https:="" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #353535; float: left; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">
<img alt="Book Review: Listening to Your Body to Achieve Healing" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-16265" height="145" sizes="(max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px" src="https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IntelligentBodyCover-96x145.jpeg" srcset="https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IntelligentBodyCover-96x145.jpeg 96w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IntelligentBodyCover-66x100.jpeg 66w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IntelligentBodyCover-33x50.jpeg 33w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IntelligentBodyCover-50x75.jpeg 50w, https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IntelligentBodyCover.jpeg 198w" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0.857143rem 1.71429rem 0.857143rem 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="96" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #353535; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.07143rem; line-height: 1.71429; margin-bottom: 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 17.1429px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Intelligent Body</strong> covers several ideas: the combined theory that we are all connected; that everything runs on energy; and the body is responsive to how we direct that energy; and even more so, how humans need to take responsibility for their thoughts and actions. I appreciated the times that the author, Kyle Davies, admitted when he was challenged himself during his process. (Davies is a psychologist and therapist who has worked with clients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome and pain.) The walk-through he encounters in his own mind when facing direct conflict with what he thought was truth to what could possibly be resonated with me.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #353535; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.07143rem; line-height: 1.71429; margin-bottom: 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
With decades of experience in learning to communicate with my inner self and health, I found this book challenged me in very profound ways. Additionally, as a disabled person, it was a direct reminder of how I have identified as a victim, an “ill person” or someone who just <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 17.1429px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is</em> unhealthy, as opposed to being open to who I truly <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 17.1429px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">am</em> as a human being.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #353535; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.07143rem; line-height: 1.71429; margin-bottom: 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I spent a month deciding how to review this book, primarily because it was hard to put into words the impact it has had on my life. I read it twice, then I forwarded it to a few close family members and friends, and asked them to read and review as well. I truly feel that Kyle Davies has hit the nail on the head with the connection between body, mind and spirit. I wish to thank him for helping me to heal in a way I have not yet been able to grasp. More so, I thank him for reminding me that I am in charge and I am responsible for who I am.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #353535; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 1.07143rem; line-height: 1.71429; margin-bottom: 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Although the title seems to put an emphasis on chronic fatigue syndrome and pain, the book can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to learn more about the roles emotion and stress management play in self-healing.</div>
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<div class="guerrillagravatar" style="border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 84.5156px;">
<img alt="Sabrina Numann" class="photo" height="80" scale="0" src="https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/userphoto/92.thumbnail.jpg" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; float: left; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="66" /></div>
<div class="guerrillatext" style="border: 0px; float: left; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 467.656px;">
<h4 style="border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 20px; line-height: 19px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://kentuckianafm.org/" rel="author external" style="border: 0px; color: #0d5b91; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Visit Sabrina Numann’s website">Sabrina Numann</a></span></h4>
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.07143rem; line-height: 1.71429; margin-bottom: 1.71429rem; padding: 6px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Sabrina Numann is the founder of the Kentuckiana Fibromyalgia Support Group, an advocate for the Leaders Against Pain Action Network and a patient representative for the <span class="glossaryLink " data-cmtooltip="The <a href="http://www.fda.gov" target="_blank" style="color: #ffffff;">Food and Drug Administration</a> is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments." style="border-bottom-style: dotted; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; font-size: 17.1429px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">FDA</span>.</div>
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The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-38125895903074394672018-01-07T14:00:00.000-08:002018-01-07T14:26:08.565-08:00The "Mind/Body" RelationshipWhenever the suggestion comes up that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be caused by an interruption in the mind body relationship, the CFS community becomes unhinged. They protest vociferously, and sometimes violently, that this disease is not "all in their heads"<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, when people fail to look into the mind/body relationship, and how many many chronic diseases are a disorder in the mind/body system, they fail to find the tools they could acquire in order to heal. They miss out on an opportunity to experience deep change, spiritual growth, and renewed health and energy. I'm not sure where this resistance comes from, but my guess is that they've been told by various medical professionals that 'it's all in your head". And the only reason a doctor would say this is because there are no medical tests that can determine Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Although the patient is sick, they clinically present as someone who is healthy. And yet there is <i>much</i> that is physically wrong, and I can certainly attest to that. But at some point, when medicine doesn't have answers, we have a responsibility to ourselves, and to our own lives, to, well, <i>look elsewhere.</i> In the book <i>When the Body Says No</i>, author Gabor Mate states "we want to be the authoritative person in our own lives: in charge, able to make the authentic decisions that affect us. There is no true responsibility without awareness. One of the weaknesses of the Western medical approach is that we have made the physician the only authority, with the patient too often a mere recipient of the treatment or cure". And this perfectly describes the problem with a community that is so invested in science to somehow heal them.<br />
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I can think of nothing more powerless that being ill with CFS. I was literally at the mercy of my symptoms. My life became very small and confining, because I usually felt to ill to do much of anything. I was often housebound, and occasionally bed bound, I felt powerless to the extreme. All aspects and areas of my life were negatively affected. I was extremely ill, and very early on I realized my very open minded, holistically oriented doctor could do nothing for me. Nothing.<br />
<br />
I was ready and willing to embrace anything that would help me to heal. I wasn't going to beg doctors, clamor for research, and stay sick because science didn't seem to have an answer. So I wholeheartedly, and with great interest, embraced the mind/body connection.<br />
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When we talk about the mind/body connection, people tend to think that we need to focus on the mind, if the body isn't healing. That we somehow need to explore the <i>mind</i>. We need to meditate, think positive thoughts, believe, really believe...we need to somehow think right or twist our minds around to behave in accordance with the body. Or that we have to adopt a "mind over matter approach". Or that we have to go to psychotherapy because there is something inherently wrong with our minds, and it's affecting our bodies. That's not it at all. What we are focusing on is the <i>connection, </i>between our mind and body. And in order to facilitate that connection, we need to put our focus squarely on the body, and on our bodily symptoms. For example, when I was sick, I would have good days and bad days...I could have bouts of energy and good feelings, only to be followed by days, maybe even weeks of bed rest and inactivity. It didn't make any sense to me, until I learned to make sense of <i>it</i>...what was my body telling me? Why were some of my days good, and why were some of them bad? And so on until I learned my intelligent body was sending me, my mind, intelligent messages and was wanting my action and attention. An epiphany for me. And a route to healing.<br />
As Kyle Davies so eloquently states in his book, <i>The Intelligent Body, "Symptoms are Solutions".</i><br />
<br />
So to those who think we are saying "it's all in your head"..it's not. It is for certain in your body.<br />
And your body will guide the way out of your illness, if only you will open your mind.<br />
<br />
As a bit of a follow up or addendum to the mind/body relationship, I'd like to point out that we really are not dualistic...we've been reduced to thinking of ourselves as dualistic beings....just mind and body, body and mind...but this is also false....and this is where it all becomes deep and wise...we are mind/body/soul. I don't know of many physicians who completely appreciate this, nor do I know many people who deeply understand this, but this is why we have something called<i> metaphysicians. </i> When we heal, deeply heal, from anything, I would say, we become reconnected with our soul, our soul path, our truth. This is ultimately what happened to me. So spirituality and health are inextricably linked...I think the first time I came across this concept was back in the early 1980's when I was still a teenager...my father gave me the book <i>The Road Less Travelled </i>written by psychiatrist M. Scott Peck, who argued that the journey from mental illness to mental health was ultimately a spiritual journey. So I would say any recovery from serious and incapacitating illness is a metaphysical journey.<br />
<br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-46988639282968325242017-10-29T11:19:00.001-07:002018-09-14T11:52:35.961-07:00The Truth Detector<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Truth Detector<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was listening to a podcast recently which featured John
David Oates, founder of the theory of Reverse Speech. http://reversespeech.com/
His theory postulates that human speech
has two functions. Overt and covert. Overt speech is spoken forwards and is
under our conscious control. Covert speech is spoken backwards and is not under
our conscious control. If you record a
person speaking, and then play the recording backwards, interesting things
happen! You will hear lots of gibberish, but then very clear statements are
heard. Those clear statements are the unconscious mind, speaking the “truth”- the
inconsistencies of forward speech are revealed in backwards speech. In the podcast John David Oates played some
of his recordings both forwards and backwards, and each time, the backwards
speech revealed the “truth “ of what the speaker was really saying. What made
the biggest impression on me was Oates’ statement:” the body is hardwired for
truth.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This statement led me to think about polygraphs, or “lie
detector” tests that are used by law enforcement to tell if someone is telling
the truth. Although lie detector tests are somewhat controversial in their use
by law enforcement, they can help us
gain some insight into how the body responds to truths and non truths. The
polygraph test measures the function of the autonomic nervous system. It
measures the unconscious processes of the body, specifically, blood pressure,
heart rate, respiration and perspiration. Theoretically, if a lie is detected,
there will be an increase in stress hormones, which will result in a spike in
blood pressure, heart rate, perspiration and respiration. Say what you will
about the polygraph test, but this is interesting for those of us who have healed
from various illnesses by coming back to, or reconnecting, to our “truth”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Symptoms of CFS/ME paint a picture of an autonomic nervous
system, the system that is in control of
the unconscious properties in the body, that is stuck in a “fight or flight” or
stress response cycle. A body stuck in “fight or flight” will soon start to
experience a breakdown in all systems of the body The constant pumping out of
stress hormones affect the immune,endocrine ,digestive, and musculoskeletal
systems of the body. So symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Autonomic
Nervous System dysfunction, result in the disruption of basically all systems
in the body, and create a myriad of strange and debilitating symptoms. This is
virtually a nightmare for doctors, who often diagnose and treat symptoms (
regardless of the illness) , rather than causes. This also leads to the
unfounded belief that this is a complex medical illness with no cure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we start to picture Chronic Illness, and CFS/Me in
particular as a stress related disease, then the pieces of the puzzle start to
come together. Our physical body <i>is </i>our
unconscious. When the physical body sends us symptoms in the form of any
illness, it is sending us an S.O.S, so to speak. It’s telling us something. It
is communication to us that something is “off” that we’ve somehow strayed,
unconsciously, from our true self. It is a call to heal, to come back into
alignment with self. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Healing is simply a return to self. A return to self results in homeostasis in
the autonomic nervous system. There is no need for the body to stay stuck in a
stress response cycle when we’ve heard and responded to its messages. A return
to self means that we have tuned into and activated the self healing mechanisms
of the body, all which start with the rest and relax mode of the autonomic
nervous system.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we heal by tapping into the mind body connection, we
are tapping deep into the very thing that connects mind to body…we are tapping
into emotion. Repressed emotion is the biggest culprit in stress related
disease, and when we tap into symptoms of illness, which leads us to tap into
emotion, we can feel, release, and heal those emotions. The body then heals
itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This leads us back to the truth. People experiencing ME/CFS
can find relief of symptoms, can completely heal their bodies, and can resume
their normal active pre-disease lifestyle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
</div>
The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-73451147482784019652017-10-14T05:01:00.000-07:002017-10-14T05:01:36.112-07:00A Word About Pain and RecoveryMy wrists and hands hurt. They hurt so much that I found myself avoiding doing any extra activity with my hands...if I didn't have to pick something up, I didn't. I was walking around with my arms crossed, my hands buried underneath them, to keep them warm and protect them. Much of my actions were just beneath the level of my consciousness....I "caught" myself avoiding things, and cradling my hands.<br />
<br />
In my case, it was clear to me the pain was mechanical. Hours on my road bike and in the yoga studio were affecting my wrists and hands. I stopped cycling and practicing yoga for a few weeks, until the pain subsided. I rested my wrists and hands.<br />
<br />
When I returned to the yoga studio I asked my teacher to observe me during class, because something in my practice was "off" and I was injuring my wrists. Her feedback was that I was sinking my weight into my wrists, rather than using my shoulders and core to support my body weight. Great information, and so far the adjustments I'm making in my practice are working. But these adjustments are new and awkward and difficult. I thought I had attained a certain level of mastery and strength in my practice, and it turns out I hadn't. I thought I could flow through my practice without having to discern if I was engaging the proper muscles to prevent injury. Now I actually have to think about how I'm practicing. I need to keep my focus on what muscles I'm engaging. It feels more like work, and it's going to take some time for me to get to the point where I can simply flow through my practice, to move without effort and hard focus.<br />
<br />
At this point you may be asking yourself what this has to do with recovering from Chronic Fatigue and Pain. Well, everything. Because it's pretty much the same as with a mechanical injury. And it can be just as straightforward.<br />
<br />
Pain and Fatigue are symptoms. Something is off in your practice of life. An adjustment needs to be made, and when you first start making those adjustments it feels awkward and it feels like work. Old habits that aren't working for you anymore need to be changed, and more often than not those are beneath the surface of your awareness. In order to heal with the Energy Flow Coaching principles you have to be willing to change how you relate to your physical body, your mind, your relationships and your life. But your fatigue and pain can guide you through this, and your teacher, or coach, is there to observe and to guide you to make the proper adjustments. You are simply following your body. If you do this, if you use how your body feels as your guide through life, you can recover from symptoms of pain and fatigue. And then interesting things start to happen. You start to flow much more easily through life, and just like in yoga practice, "spiritual growth occurs when one attains a conscious state not controlled by habitual thoughts or behavioral patterns."The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-52430617118293549482017-08-07T18:39:00.000-07:002017-08-07T18:39:38.817-07:00Of Mindfulness and Embodiment I discovered Mindfulness Meditation when I saw a documentary on PBS in the early 90's called <i>Healing and the Mind. </i>There was a segment about the work of John Kabat-Zinn and his founding of Mindfulness -Based Stress Reduction, and The Center For Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society. I was intrigued when I saw how he employed mindfulness meditation to help his patients cope with stress, illness, and pain at his Stress Reduction Clinic. I bought his book,<i> Full Catastrophe Lving:How to Cope With Stress, Pain and Illness Using Mindfulness Meditation, </i> and threw myself into Mindfulness Meditation. To be honest, the moment to moment awareness that is required for mindfulness meditation was literally crazy making for me. The more mindful I became, the more focused I became on my thoughts...the random patterns, the random constant chatter of my brain, the awareness of literal mind stuff , drove me way up into my head. I quickly abandoned it. I remember when I was first trying mindfulness I recommended the book to a friend. She reported back to me that she tried practicing mindfulness in the subway on her way to work, and missed her stop, making her late for work, and increasing her already high stress levels. She threw the book away, I put mine on my bookshelf where it gathered dust.<br />
<br />
Fast forward about 15 years and mindfulness is back. A friend recommended an online mindfulness course. I decided to give it another go, as I was hearing about mindfulness everywhere, and thanks to government grants, mindfulness was starting to be taught in schools. I tried again...instant insanity. I stopped.<br />
<br />
If we take a look back at the origins of mindfulness, we find that it comes from Buddhist teachings on meditation and mindfulness, and that Kabat Zinn studied meditation with the famous Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. He developed his Mindfulness Meditation based on Buddhist meditation and Hatha Yoga.<br /><br />I've become curious about the teachings of Buddhism because of two tragic deaths that have recently come to my attention. One is the street drug overdose of a famous Buddhist and yoga teacher, Michael Stone. Michael struggled with bipolar disorder, and like many, embraced Buddhism and yoga as a way to cope with his struggle with mental illness. He was a wonderful and well loved teacher, and his death was a shock to his community. <br />
<br />
Michael Stone's passing was impactful to me simply because when I heard about it I had just started reading a book about a three year silent meditation retreat gone wrong. The book <i>A</i> <i>Death on Diamond Mountain: A True Story Of Obsession, Madness, and the Path to Enlightenment,</i> is the story of the first American Buddhist to receive the title of Geshe, and his controversial and "untradtitional" life as a Tibetan Buddhist Monk in America. The second of his ambitious three year silent meditation retreats in the Arizona desert ended in violence and death of one of the participants. Both of these tragedies were interesting to me, simply because Buddhist meditation, at it's core, is about liberation and freedom from suffering. It's exactly what Kabat-Zinn is attempting to do in his Mindfulness Meditation work. But I struggle with this...focusing on suffering, trying to be free from suffering, in my mind, enhances suffering. I can't argue with thousands of years of knowledge and tradition, of which I know very little, but I do wonder....are the various forms of Buddhist meditation, is the western grandchild of Buddhist Meditation, Mindfulness, really all that it's cracked up to be? In my own experience, no.<br />
<br />
But that is only my own experience. One of my clients found his own 10-day silent Insight Meditation Retreat ( a form of Buddhist meditation) to be a very helpful addition to his Energy-Flow Coaching work. To him, it solidified and validated the work we were doing in Energy Flow Coaching. He ultimately made a full recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.<br />
<br />
Recently I discovered an article in Yoga Journal about Body Sensing Meditation. It immediately resonated with me, because it's what I teach in my yoga classes, and it's what I encourage my clients to practice. In Yoga and in life, being aware of bodily sensations, becoming embodied, helps us to tune into the infinite wisdom and guidance of the body. This guidance informs us, and helps us to change our minds, and to change our behaviors. "Spiritual growth accelerates when one attains a conscious state not controlled by habitual thoughts or patterns" So embodiment, tuning into and acting on the wisdom of the body, is a catalyst for spiritual growth, and perhaps a way to attain that elusive state of "Enlightenment". Perhaps the road to freedom and liberation from suffering is through the body. Maybe if we learn to embrace pain, fatigue, illness, anxiety and depression as the deep, personal and spiritual teachers that they are, if we learn their language and their lessons, then we can discover freedom from suffering. As the author states in the Yoga Journal Article, Bodysensing, " Focusing on the sensations of the body, can help to calm the nervous system, promote deep relaxation, and enhance feelings of groundedness and well-being", and bring us to a deeper relationship and understanding of self.<br />
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<br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-77798563480371988642017-06-13T16:06:00.002-07:002017-06-13T16:06:46.544-07:00Moments In TimeIt's 95 degrees outside, and when I enter the yoga studio for my hot power class it's 110 degrees. It's more than sweltering...it's suffocating. We start class with the teacher encouraging us to stay in the moment. To remain present. I want to be cool, I want the class to be over, so I do.<br />
<br />
Before I came to class today I was listening to a podcast about prayer. The woman being interviewed said there was a prayer you could say to ask for an abundance of time. This struck me as interesting, but I didn't think much about it. In a hot sweaty yoga studio, working through countless asana, I found an abundance of time. I found the moment. It was rich and deep and full of possibility. Time stood still. Time was abundant. The moment was everything. Everything I could ever want or need simply existed in the moment. It was perfect.<br />
<br />
The moment is everything. It's all well and good to say that, and we all hear it. The only time that exists is the now. The past and future don't exist. They only exist in our mind. And in order to keep us safe, the mind wanders, into the past, projecting into the future, going over events that no longer are, and moving into the next moment, the next day, the next year. It's the job of the mind, to keep us safe. We overplay the importance of the mind, relying on it to figure things out, to solve our problems, to anticipate the future. To prepare us for the dangers, the pitfalls, the joys and successes of the future. But it's not real.<br />
<br />
One of the wonderful benefits of yoga is that it gets us out of our heads. We become firmly grounded in our bodies, and lost in the moment.<br />
<br />
The teacher talked about climbing Mt Kilimanjaro while suffering with altitude sickness. She couldn't eat anything, and for three days, climbing 7 to 8 hours a day, it was all she could do to take one step forward, and then the next. One step at a time. She would go to bed at night, thinking she would never wake up, and she would, and she would climb, just one step at a time.<br />
<br />
During my recovery I discovered that healing could happen in the moment. In the moment I started to feel symptoms of fatigue or dizziness or weakness, I could move out of it, just by changing something I was doing. My body was communicating with me; in the moment. I would not let my mind wander into the past, remembering how sick I had been. I would not let my mind wander into the future, wondering if I would end up back in bed for hours or days at a time. I would not let my mind start to reel and analyze my illness and what it meant. I simply listened to my body, which exists and lives and breathes only in the moment, and in that moment, I could heal. It was one step at a time. One moment at a time. To me, it was just as difficult and just as rewarding as climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.<br />
<br />
When class was over I stepped outside into the 95 degree weather. A soft breeze was blowing. It felt like spring.The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-77222780034581249842017-03-10T14:09:00.000-08:002017-03-10T14:11:25.256-08:00Developing A New Relationship With CFSWhen my clients with CFS first meet with me, one of the first things we do is to shift perspective about the illness. When we have CFS, we have very, very debilitating symptoms. We are very sick. A common theme around those with severe illnesses is to fight...fight the symptoms, fight the disease.<br />
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I encourage my clients to stop fighting. I encourage them to develop a new relationship with their symptoms, and to start to understand that their symptoms are messages from their body.</div>
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This does two things. When we stop fighting, and fall into a state of non-resistance, of allowing, then we immediately turn off the stress response. Resistance and fighting only further work to increase symptoms, because they increase the outpouring of stress hormones. When we shift our perspective from symptoms being an indicator of illness, to symptoms being helpful messages from our body, then we can start to gain some power and control over our symptoms. This immediately helps us to start to regain some control over our health.</div>
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This also requires a paradigm shift about how we view this illness. We have to put the medical model to the side, and shift into the stress disease paradigm. This is a challenge for those with CFS, because they think that if we are saying this, then we are saying the illness is "all in their heads". It most certainly isn't, those with this illness are very very sick. I can say with certainty that all illnesses are in both the mind and the body. Any practicing medical doctor will agree to this. So if we can't treat an illness medically, then we have to look for different approaches to treatment.</div>
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I've made it my mission to bring this theory and treatment to the forefront of the CFS community, and I've been shouted down so many times. I suppose that is because recovery stories are rare, a relative anomaly, and people have a hard time believing that anyone has recovered. I've explained that it doesn't have to be that way, that there is a model for recovery that is readily available, and I've been shouted down and accused of trying to "sell something".</div>
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Be that as it may, I'm always reminded that people who have discovered or revealed the truth are usually dismissed at first. My hope is that one day the science will prove the theory that an overactive HPA-Axis is the cause of CFS/ME/FIBRO. Interestingly enough, some of the recent studies seem to prove this.</div>
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The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-16584117094441895492017-03-06T05:12:00.000-08:002017-03-06T05:12:14.742-08:00The TRPM3 StudyThere has been a lot of excitement in the CFS/ME community regarding a recent Australian study that concluded that those with CFS/ME have a faulty cell receptor called TRPM3. The role of TRPM3 is to transfer calcium from outside the cell to the inside, and when this function is altered, then cell function is impaired. The TRPM3 receptors are found in every cell in the body, causing dysfunction in several different organs and systems in the body, which explains why there are so many varied symptoms, and different manifestations of symptoms in different patients. But the most important finding is that is that TRPM3 receptors are upregulated when the body is under any kind of threat (i.e. infection, trauma ). The study cites that it is the upregulation that causes the faulty genetic receptors to take over and inhibit the calcium transfer to a wide range of cells.<br />
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This is good news for people who are looking for a definitive diagnostic marker for CFS. There we have it, validation for illness, and this seems to be important for many in the CFS community.<br />
<br />
But this is also good news for those of us who believe that CFS/ME is a stress related disorder. If we can tame the stress response, then we can repair faulty TRPM3 receptors, and our cells can resume<br />
their normal functioning.<br />
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Like so many recent CFS/ME studies, this offers hope for people who want a definitive diagnosis, but rather than finding the cause of CFS/ME, this is simply another illustration of the effects of CFS/ME.<br />
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http://www.meassociation.org.uk/2017/02/the-science-behind-queensland-governments-cfs-breakthrough-statement-science-alert-22-february-2017/<br />
<br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-74591056142624424652017-02-15T07:23:00.000-08:002017-02-15T07:23:15.785-08:00Why Medicine Has Failed Those With Invisible IllnessesWhen I was suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome I was lucky enough to already have a doctor who was able to diagnose my illness fairly quickly. She was a functional medicine specialist, as well as a GP. Her treatment included acupuncture, supplements, and rest. She actually advised me to take a year long vacation. I tried all of these things, and more. Most of the things I tried were not from the traditional medical box, because I knew that medical doctors didn't have the answers to these illnesses. They simply didn't know. So I took my health into my own hands. I had a very strong desire to get well and get back to my life. I could think of nothing more disempowering (aside from the illness itself) than going from doctor to doctor, and subjecting myself to tests and diagnoses...I was determined not to become a professional patient with a long list of mysterious symptoms and inconclusive tests. It's probably my nursing background that led me to have this perspective...I had seen too many "professional patients" in my work, and I was determined not to become one.<br />
<br />
When I tell people how I recovered, so many of them are skeptical. They cannot believe that I could recover from such a serious and debilitating illness with a simple mind/body exercise. I now coach my own clients, using the Energy-Flow Coaching techniques that helped me recover. When I explain to prospective clients how and what I do, many times the answer runs something along the lines of...<br />
"but my body is sick...there is nothing wrong with me except for my illness...how can this work if my only problem is that I can't physically function?"...It's the same misunderstanding of the nature<br />
of the illness that the medical profession has, and this is why medical doctors or research don't have the answers we're looking for.<br />
<br />
Medical doctors approach illness from a biomedical model. They work within a paradigm that views symptoms as a result of illness or injury. Most of their treatments revolve around treating symptoms using pharmaceuticals. This is wonderful and works well for most people. But for those with Invisible Illnesses, or Functional Illnesses, this doesn't work. This is why sufferers are left to cope by implementing what I call "extreme self-care", revolving around diet, supplements, rest, etc<br />
When I was sick, taking care of myself, implementing and following self care techniques, was a full time job in and of itself.<br />
<br />
When we can step back and view these illnesses from a different paradigm, from the stress-disease model of illness, then we can start to understand these illnesses in a new light. When we view mind and body not as separate entities, as the medical paradigm does, but as a functional system that works together to enhance health or create disease, then we are on our way to a new understanding of functional or invisible illnesses.<br />
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Deep and true healing from these illnesses can occur, but only if we are willing to embrace a new view of our illnesses, and be open to taking the journey down the road of exploration and discovery into a deeper meaning of illness and health. In other words, when we develop a different relationship to ourselves and our illnesses, we can heal, grown and change on a very deep level.The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-62503841464244727772017-01-29T06:42:00.000-08:002017-01-29T06:42:42.501-08:00Why Medical Research Isn't The AnswerI follow many CFS groups on twitter, and the majority of them seem to advocate for medical research. Indeed, many sufferers are "waiting" for medical research breakthroughs and lobbying<br />
for more funding for research. My suggestion to them was to study those that had recovered. What steps did they take to recover, what recovery looks like to them, (i.e. were they able to return to their previous life, levels of activity?), and how long they remained in remission. Of course, this was deeply unpopular.<br />
<br />
My suggestion was, and is, to do your own research. Find people who have recovered, chase them down, and find out what worked for them. Find out if their recovery is complete. And then take those same steps that they did! Be persistent, and focus your attention on recovery, rather than symptoms.<br />
<br />
By nature, CFS is very disempowering. The symptoms are debilitating, medically unexplainable, and unpredictable. It's easy to fall into a "victim mindset", because it causes people to feel they have no control over how they feel, and they are physically and inexplicably unable to function in their lives. It's like some unseen and inexplicable force has drained them of their energy and physical resources. Peoples lives become smaller and smaller. Indeed, feeling powerless is part of the disease itself. What I find so often with other bloggers and sufferers is this...I have (CFS/ME/FIBRO etc) so I can't do the things I want/need to do. They start to identify with the illness, and live with the label as victim or sufferer, which only perpetuates and reinforces symptoms, and the limiting lifestyle that comes with them. Creating an identity around an illness becomes one more hurdle to overcome on the road to recovery.<br />
<br />
It's my own opinion that medical research is a very long ways away from finding a cause and cure. Medical research focuses primarily on symptoms, rather than causes of symptoms...for example, there was a recent research study that showed that gut bacteria in CFS patients was altered, but the focus was on the gut, not on why gut bacteria was altered. (could it be because the gut doesn't work properly in people who have CFS ...rather than they are missing certain microbes in the gut?) Another popular study suggests that people who have CFS have mitochondrial dysfunction...so the focus is on mitochondria...but not why there is such dysfunction. So if we are to follow medical research we could easily fall down the rabbit hole of gut microbe replacement, and mitochondrial functioning, without finding the true cause as to why these dysfunctions exist. In other words, medical research seems a long ways from finding a true cause for our illnesses.<br />
<br />
If we can move forward with the theory that medically unexplained illnesses and symptoms are a disruption of the autonomic nervous system, and a disconnection between how the mind and body interact and communicate with each other, then we can empower ourselves by researching how mind and body work together, how the autonomic nervous system controls every aspect of our physiology,<br />
(think gut function, pain response, mitochondria), and how we can reassert control over our symptoms, then we can empower ourselves with more knowledge about our own illness and well being than any outside medical source.<br />
<br />
Which brings me back to why medical researchers should study those that have recovered. If they did, they could make huge research breakthroughs in how the mind and body interact to create disease and/or well being. But because medical research is so far behind in understanding the mind/body interactions, this could take decades. Those who are ill and suffering don't have decades to wait for the right research study to come along.The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-11052667997521255092016-11-30T07:10:00.001-08:002016-11-30T07:10:28.486-08:00Love and BetrayalLoving yourself is easy. So many people overcomplicate love! So many people spend years in therapy, and money on self-help books, trying desperately to "love themselves", and to feel deserving of self love. I would argue that you already love yourself. And listening to yourself is the key to self love. It's all in how we honor and respond to our deeper selves.<div>
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Loving yourself is about how you treat yourself. Do you block your emotions in order to protect your relationship with another? Do you take better care of your relationships than you do yourself? Do you sacrifice yourself in order to maintain peace and harmony in a relationship? Do you listen to that silent whisper of self, telling you to find a new job, despite the ease and security of your current situation? Do you avoid doing things that scare you? When we do these things we neglect ourselves.</div>
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It's in these things, often difficult things, that we simply treat ourselves badly. Not for lack of self love, but out of fear. But when we do these things, we betray ourselves.</div>
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And what does love have to do with health? Gabor Mate, the author of <i>When the Body Says No</i>,</div>
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speaks eloquently on illness and betrayal of self. Disease, he says, is that part of you that really loves you, trying to get your attention, trying to guide you back to your real and loving self.</div>
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A few years ago I attended a workshop with a medical intuitive. He could "read" peoples illnesses simply by looking at their faces. Not only could he discern illnesses with an accuracy rate of 97%</div>
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( he participated in a research study verifying his abilities), but he could discern the emotional conflict that helped to create the illness. All illness, he claimed, is created when we make decisions that are not in our best interests. In other words, resistance to self creates illness.I believe that when we mend our relationship with our true self, our bodies will often ( but not always) heal on their own.</div>
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There is more to health than genes and lifestyles. I would say the most important thing that we can do to stay healthy, is to stay in touch with our true self, that communicates to us through our emotions. And, our emotions communicate with us through our nervous system. Being firmly present in the body, ( not the mind) helps us to stay in touch with our true, deep, and loving self.</div>
The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-21364272344631126582016-10-26T15:35:00.000-07:002016-10-26T15:35:02.054-07:00Addictions and AwarenessI recently listened to an interview with the author of <i>Addiction Unplugged</i>, John Flaherty. It was truly an inspiring interview, because he discussed a new way of approaching addiction, and really of approaching life, and it was all in keeping with my own work in recovering from CFS.<br />
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John spoke of life as being <i>meaningless</i>, until we ourselves give it meaning. Life is just there. It's naturally giving, and naturally creative. And life, naturally, supports us. It just is. Flaherty stressed that we don't need to <i>make </i>anything happen. In fact, it's all there for us. We only need to <i>allow</i> it to happen. So often we get caught up in the doing, the making things happen, the resistance and pushing against life, when it really is all there, laid out and generously, miraculously, giving us everything we need. As Flaherty points out, we don't even need to breathe. It is done for us.<br />
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After listening to the interview this morning.I decided to do an experiment in <i>allowing</i> life to flow. I had several errands to run, and rather than performing them with my usual laser sharp focus and efficiency ( I usually try to get them done as quickly and easily as possible ), I decided to take some time and be in a state of allowing...of seeing what comes up. I found myself feeling so relaxed...I didn't have to <i>make </i>anything happen...and this is what I noticed. Everything was<i> more</i>..the produce section at the grocery store was more colorful than ever, the pumpkins on display outside the store were more bold and beautiful than ever, people were nicer, the stores were uncrowded, and as I walked up the street to do more shopping I was treated to a pop up symphony playing Beethoven in the neighborhood square. It was a beautiful day, and my awareness of the bounty and generosity of life was heightened ten fold. All because I came with the attitude of simply <i>being</i> rather than doing.<br />
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I've come to believe that many illnesses are caused by <i>resistance</i>. Of not allowing life to naturally flow, of struggling against the current. When we resist life, we are resisting our selves, and really our true selves. Have you ever heard of autoimmune diseases described as "the body attacking itself"? Oftentimes, we unknowingly attack ourselves, by being in resistance, rather than in flow, with our true nature.<br />
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But what I liked most about John Flaherty was his approach to addiction. An addict, and it can be any addiction, big or small, to alcohol, drugs, sex, the internet, is actually a "stuckness". It's being stuck in a compulsion.And when people are treated for addiction, they get "stuck" in recovery, forever. The addictive behavior stops, but the stuck energy behind the addiction often stays, which is why some people in recovery are labeled "dry drunks". According to Flaherty addiction is really a quest for the self. It's a deep desire to be, and have permission to be, your true self, to be the truest expression of yourself, and to leave your own unique footprint on life, which, until you give it meaning, is really just meaningless. Many very severe addicts have been horribly abused and traumatized as very young children. My own definition of trauma is something that interferes with you and You. It is anything that takes you away from your core, true self, without your permission. So when this happens at a very young age, one is lost, and out of contact and communication with the true self. The loving core essence of self. Addiction can be thought of as the quest, really, for the energy, for the true, loving, abundant essence of self.<br />
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For my own purposes, I think so many illnesses are due to a loss of self, and can be healed by reuniting with the core, true essence of who we are. And after listening to Flaherty's interview, I have a new perspective on addiction. The addict inherently <i>knows</i>, that there is <i>more</i>, but is stuck. So recovery is to build a bridge, to cross over from the stuckness of addiction to the natural flow, and growth, and infinite abundance that is your own true essence.The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-86016028144179747592016-09-08T12:11:00.000-07:002016-09-08T12:11:03.196-07:00Dancing With The MindI've recently enrolled in a Mindfulness Meditation Class. I did this at the urging of one of my friends, and with some hesitation. Many years ago I experimented with Mindfulness after reading John Kabat-Zinn's book, <i>Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Every Day Life.</i> I recall watching a documentary about Kabat-Zinn and his mindfulness class as well. Using his book, I practiced Mindfulness..which in my mind meant "paying attention to what you are thinking about". It drove me crazy... it literally made me want to jump out of my skin...I stopped, and continued with my own meditation practice, ( simply following my breath) and experimenting with various meditation CD's off and on over the years.<br />
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Mindfulness Meditation seems to have become big business. I think this is because there have been actual scientific studies done on the positive effects of Mindfulness, and now there seems to be a lot of funding for teaching mindfulness to school students. Because I'm me, anything with "science" and "funding" is, well, to be questioned. Who benefits? Where is the money going? Where is the money coming from? Why this particular form of meditation which seems to be so focused on the mind?<br />
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I'm only a week into the course, so the jury is still out. So far the class material and practices have inspired me to question the mind. How we use the mind, and what the role of our minds in our lives really is. Mindfulness is meant to distance you from your thinking, become aware of your thought patterns, and understand that your thoughts aren't you and they are not always true. Sounds a lot like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which has been the gold standard for psychotherapy.. again following scientific studies about it's effectiveness. Both of these things help us to understand the mind, and maybe our relationship with it, but in my experience that is only the first step.<br />
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In our culture, thinking is king, and the mind , and it's place in our lives is overemphasized. When I was in school, I was specifically taught to say "I think" rather than "I feel". The reason being is that thinking gives, well, thought, more credence than feeling.<br />
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Thinking, I believe, is best for solving complex objective problems. The intellect can surf the waves of a multitude of interesting and complex issues, and the mind enjoys it! The mind likes to be busy! But when it comes to everyday life, feeling is key. When we think about our daily problems or even the problem with life, our minds start to create stories. It is the minds way of understanding pain. We start to rationalize everything we don't like, or don't feel good about. Our stories and rationalizations take root and grow wings, and on top of our pain and suffering, on top of the problem with life, we have <i>stories</i>. And then our life becomes the story. It becomes false and inauthentic, and adds a layer of fiction to smother the layer of pain.<br />
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I don't think it's necessary to pay much attention to our thinking. My fear ( one weak into a Mindfulness Course!) is that paying attention to thinking, avoiding thinking, being aware of your thinking, drives you up into your head too much. The real wisdom, the seat of the soul, the source of creative problem solving, is really in the body. When we let go of our thinking, and let our body lead, amazing things begin to happen, not the first being that we start to relax, and to trust the deeper, and real wisdom of our bodies. When I trust my body enough to negotiate, and lead me through my day, amazing things start to happen. I live from a body-centered state. Meaning I don't think, and follow my thinking, I lead with my body. I listen to it. I have a relationship with it. Most of us have this relationship with our bodies that is very superficial. Am I too short? Too tall? Am I too fat? Too old? What kind of body do I have? We don't even think of our body as a vehicle or even a form within which our souls dwell.<br />
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What makes me most uncomfortable about mindfulness, and I remember this from my first introduction to mindfulness, specifically when I watched a documentary about John Kabat-Zinn and his mindfulness students, is that it seems to <i>highlight</i> human suffering. I watched his documentary twenty years ago, and I still remember the students that were featured. What I remember is their <i>suffering</i>, and suffering in the worst of ways. It made a huge impression on me. Because most of them were in circumstances that were not going to change, and were difficult to bear. And somehow, the magic of mindfulness was helping to ease their pain. I was skeptical.<br />
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When I was in nursing school I took a theology course called The Mystery of Suffering. Essentially, it was about why God allows us to suffer.Why newborn babies die, children get cancer, people are or become horribly disabled...how could a loving God allow this to happen? We see so much of it. We all suffer. It's part of the human condition, and my only explanation both then and now is that suffering is essential for growth. Anything that has made me suffer in life has spurned me on to more and more spiritual growth and wisdom. So perhaps suffering and pain are a path to God. And where does God dwell? In the body.<br />
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So mindfulness, to me, is only a third of the equation. We are not dualistic mind/body beings. And when we ignore our bodies by placing them at the altar of our minds, we aren't doing ourselves any favors. It throws us off balance. Any practice that emphasizes mind over body, mind and body over soul, simply negates who we are, and misaligns us with our true nature. We are mind, body, and soul.<br />
The body houses the soul..it is sacred; the mind, which struggles for control over body and soul, needs to be brought into balance. I suppose practices like Mindfulness Meditation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are a start...a beginners guide, if you will,<br />
to having a relationship with the mind.<br />
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But, perhaps because I am a Yoga teacher, I will always refer back to yoga, which takes into account that we are indeed tertiary beings. Body,mind, and soul. Yoga, as defined in the Yoga Sutras, is defined as the "stilling of the fluctuations of the mind". When we quiet the mind, we can tune into the soft whispers of our body, speaking the language of our souls.<br />
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<br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-21976486641417175432016-08-21T17:26:00.000-07:002017-03-05T04:28:41.523-08:00Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: What Is It?Doctors haven't been able to unravel the mystery of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Most people never recover, and those who do recover, rarely enjoy a full recovery, meaning they are never able to go back to the level of energy and activity that they fully enjoyed.<br />
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When I was sick I spent hours pouring over books and in chat rooms. I chased down any and all treatments I could find that other sufferers reported success or improvement. I was very thorough. The list of treatments I tried included ( but was not limited to!), the Amygdala Retraining Program, Dr. Lam's Adrenal Fatigue program, Dr. Wilson's Adrenal Fatigue Program. antidepressants, and supplements, including high dose vitamin C and various diets...among them were vegetarian, low carb, no carb, and the specific carbohydrate diet. The Amygdala Retraining Program was tedious, and time consuming, but it did offer some limited relief. Dr. Lam's and Dr. Wilson's supplements were too stimulating, like most of the herbal supplements my doctor prescribed. My diet was very "clean" when I became sick, although I did tried various healing diets, with the only effective diet being a very low carb, low sugar regimen, which I really had been doing all along.<br />
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So what gives? CFS isn't caused by a nutritional deficiency, although many a nutritionist would like to believe it is . CFS isn't caused by a "lack of supplements, vitamins, and minerals" as Dr. Lam and Dr. Wilson would like you to believe. And I highly doubt that CFS is caused by an "overactive amygdala" like Ashok Gupta would like you to believe, although he seems to be the closest to the cause of CFS in focusing his attention on the brain. Because CFS IS in your head, but not really.<br />
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So before anyone's head explodes when I say CFS is "in your head", what I mean is that it is in your nervous system. It's the ultimate stress related disease, and we have so much to learn from it...it can help us to figure out how mind/body/spirit work together to create health, or work apart from each other to create disease. CFS signals a body/mind/spirit that is out of sync, and could help us to figure out how <i>other</i> diseases develop out of a trinitarian system ( body/mind/spirit) that is our of sync.<br />
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If you are still with me, this is how CFS develops. It is, like many illnesses, a <i>stress related disease, </i>and a result of dysfunction within the Hypothalamus-Adrenal-Pituitary Axis. The HPA-Axis is responsible for bringing our body into balance. A body out of balance, due to stress, will be a body that is constantly secreting stress hormones, and is unable to achieve homeostasis, or the proper parasympathetic "rest and relax" mode. Constant secretion of stress hormones results in severe fatigue, muscle pain, vertigo, impairment of concentration and memory,insomnia, frequent infections, digestive issues, and many more puzzling and disturbing symptoms.<br />
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Medical doctors have not been able to find a cause or cure, because their care is based on symptoms, and the symptoms of CFS are varied and disabling. I spent much of my time chasing down symptoms when I was ill, and trying to deal with my illness symptom by symptom. It didn't work. But this also explains why there are very few tests that can indicate a positive diagnosis of CFS. What doctors are able to find is chronic inflammation ( caused by the continuous secretion of stress hormones), and in my case, cortisol levels which were almost nonexistent. The latest diagnostic indicator seems to be altered gut bacteria, which simply indicates a digestive system that is not properly functioning, rather than a "cause " of CFS. It' simply a result.<br />
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The treatment, then, is simple. Address the stress. Yes, restorative yoga , breathing, and meditation can help. But ultimately what has to be addressed is the unconscious stress. And that can be done by looking for symptom triggers, ( keeping a journal to start), and learning the unique language of your body, which communicates with you by sending up physical symptoms of disease. If you learn to understand the language of your illness, then you can interpret, engage with the wisdom of your body, and return to health, or homeostasis. If we can do this with CFS, then we can do this with many other chronic diseases as well.<br />
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i worked one on one with a practitioner who developed a unique body/mind treatment specifically for those who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I am so very grateful to have fully recovered my health and energy. There is hope! You can recover too.The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-76310113266305933622016-08-21T14:53:00.002-07:002016-08-21T14:55:34.046-07:00Socrates<div>
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There is no illness of the body apart from the mind.</div>
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-Socrates</div>
The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-24806207873784005022016-08-14T08:09:00.001-07:002016-08-14T08:29:24.475-07:00What Recovery From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Looks Like<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXNZiWdm2HI/V7CIzKq-D-I/AAAAAAAAAGs/kF4fX0v8w1QgDe0ysp_GAGzDTK836eBoQCPcB/s1600/b2c0ce82-c3b2-426e-aa5a-bcd1612d4831" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXNZiWdm2HI/V7CIzKq-D-I/AAAAAAAAAGs/kF4fX0v8w1QgDe0ysp_GAGzDTK836eBoQCPcB/s320/b2c0ce82-c3b2-426e-aa5a-bcd1612d4831" width="240" /></a></div>
This is what recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Adrenal Fatigue looks like... 29 miles, two hours... Soon to be followed by a 1 hour floating meditation at my local yoga studio...The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-77897795459139387152016-07-31T13:58:00.000-07:002016-07-31T13:58:27.415-07:00Gut Bacteria and Chronic Fatigue SyndromeA recent study out of Cornell University found that people ( many, but not all) with CFS have a different microbial species in their gut than healthy people do. The study also reaffirmed that markers for inflammation are found in blood samples from patients with CFS.The good news from this study is that there may be a possible diagnostic marker for CFS, something that has been missing all along...leading many doctors to believe that CFS is "all in your head". Thankfully, the researcher clarified that altered gut flora is only an indicator of CFS, and is not the cause.<br />
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When I read about these studies my fear is that the medical establishment will go chasing their results down another rabbit hole, this time trying to find the right probiotic, prebiotic, and diet to heal CFS. Their attention will now be focused on the gut.<br />
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So why the altered gut microbes, and chronic inflammation in people with CFS? They signal a autonomic nervous system that is dysfunctional. The autonomic nervous system controls respiration,heart rate,digestion,pupillary response (explaining why some people with CFS can't tolerate bright light) and vasomotor activity. So what controls our autonomic nervous system? The hypothalamus, which receives it's regulatory input from the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain.<br />
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What is the overall role of the autonomic nervous system? It regulates our inner and outer environments, keeping us safe. It's our guide between our inner and outer worlds. When our autonomic nervous system is properly functioning, we are in balance, in tune with ourselves, our bodies and minds work in perfect harmony, helping us to negotiate our day. It is the link between our body and mind, our ego and our true self, and it is why and how mind and body work together to create health and disease. It is also why we can recover our health using mind/body therapies, rather than medical or nutritional therapies.<br />
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In CFS the autonomic nervous system is in overdrive, constantly pumping out stress hormones, but without the psychological symptoms of fear and anxiety that normally accompany stress hormones that are on alert. Digestion slows, pupillary response may slow, symptoms of POTS may ensue due to alteration in the vasomotor center, and muscles become weak and fatigued, signaling mitochondria dsyfunction. The body stays on "high alert" although the sufferer is unaware of any environmental threats.<br />
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The enteric nervous system, the nervous system that controls the gut, is part of the autonomic nervous system. When the autonomic nervous system is sending out signals, in the form of stress hormones, then digestion will slow, gastrointestinal secretions will slow, and blood vessels in the gut will contract. In fact, many people with CFS or Adrenal Fatigue need to take hydrochloric acid in order to properly digest their food, because their stomachs don' t secrete the proper amounts of acid that are required to digest their food. When digestion is altered, and specifically slowed, then gut microbes will alter.<br />
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is the result of the Autonomic Nervous System being in "overdrive"<br />
The ANS is "Stuck" in fight or flight mode, although the sufferer is unaware of feeling any feelings of stress at all, besides the stress of being chronically and severely ill.<br />
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The few doctors I consulted with who understood the cause of CFS to be Autonomic Nervous System dysfunction, all recommended restorative yoga ( the only kind I could do), meditation, and breathing.<br />
These things helped, but did not cure my illness. They only slightly increased my functioning.<br />
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If you are suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome then some practical things you can do is to keep a journal of your symptoms. Finding out what triggers an increase in symptoms, or even what triggers specific symptoms, can go a long way in helping you to regain your health and control over your symptoms. Another very helpful thing to do is to practice what yoga teachers call embodiment. This simply means to transfer your attention from your mind into your body. This helps you to "feel into" your body, and to develop a new relationship with your body, which communicates with you via the nervous system. Your body never lies, and learning to listen to it from a "heart centered" rather than a "mind centered" space, will help you to understand its truths.<br />
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<br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-59823026483904846292016-07-02T06:44:00.000-07:002016-07-02T06:47:00.631-07:00Health Summit On Line: FibromyalgiaI recently purchase a Health Summit Online Program about Fibromyalgia. I did it purely out of curiosity, because I wanted to see what the "experts" were saying.<br />
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The "experts" said a lot of confusing and contradictory things about Fibromyalgia...and truth be told I could only bear to watch a few of the videos I had purchased. For me, it was a little journey into the "dark side" of marketing to the desperately ill....<br />
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I'm not sure what I expected, but I quickly learned that the Health Summit Online program only benefitted the creators of the Health Summit Online Program, not the people who suffer from Fibromyalgia, and not even the presenters...I'm guessing they paid to be participants in the Summit.<br />
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From the few videos I could stand to watch, it did seem like some of the presenters were "closing in" on the true cause of Fibromyalgia...which is really part of the whole Chronic Fatigue Syndrome phenomenon..in that they did discuss HPA-Axis "overload", and how childhood trauma affects our health over our lifespan, and does indeed contribute to the development of Fibromyalgia and CFS.<br />
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I happened to listen to a podcast with Dr. Gabor Mate at about the same time I was reviewing the Fibro Summit, and he further flushes out the concept of how childhood trauma affects our health...and how does it do that? Trauma takes us away from our selves...the end result of trauma, no matter how big or how small that trauma is...it that it tears us away from our true selves... we literally separate from ourselves when we undergo a traumatic experience, and then develop coping mechanisms and patterns that deviate from our true selves. Many chronic illnesses can then be healed by a return to self, using our symptoms as a guide back to our original, divine selves. That is how healing happens. That is how the HPA-AXIS resumes it's normal functioning, our pain and fatigue recede, and we find our way back to our soul purpose, our life path , ourselves.<br />
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If only people would awaken to this, then so many health issues could be healed and diminished, with out the confusing crowd of "experts" trying to get their voices heard.<br />
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<br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425407923672768258.post-37407657670626945492016-06-12T17:20:00.000-07:002016-06-12T17:21:01.313-07:00Between Us And The Noisy WorldWe live in a noisy world. We're bombarded with constant stimulation, constant information, and constant emotional manipulation. For those of us who are intuitive, empathic, and sensitive,<br />
it's overwhelming. The urge, often unconscious, to escape is real. It is simply, <i>too much.</i><br />
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Those of us who are highly sensitive will block out the noise, retreat from the day, and look for a safe and quiet space. The world craves our attention, our emotional energy, our feedback. It craves<br />
our very souls.<br />
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Many, but not all of those who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, are highly sensitive people with highly reactive nervous systems. We also see this trait in herd animals, who are highly sensitive to begin with. But a small percentage of a herd will sense danger, and run, well before the other members of the herd will. So when those few animals start running, the rest of the herd will know to run, too.<br />
They keep the herd safe because they are more finely tuned to their environment.<br />
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Being a "high sensitive"can often come with a tendency towards health issues like anxiety,depression, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and auto-immune diseases.<br />
Like those highly sensitive herd animals, we have much to learn from our highly sensitive friends!<br />
They can lead us to a clear understanding to how body, mind and soul can work together to create health or disease.<br />
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When someone is highly sensitive they are highly reactive to their environment. To lights, sounds, to other people and to other peoples emotional states. They are constantly responding to and reacting to environmental and emotional stimulation, <i>outside of themselves </i>so that their energy and focus are pulled away from themselves, and into the outside world. Because they can "feel" how others are feeling, they energetically take on and absorb those feelings, causing more stimulation and stress. They lose sight of themselves.<br />
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The key to living as a highly sensitive, then, is not to develop more <i>coping skills</i> but to use that unique gift to develop a very strong relationship with yourself, <i>to know your boundaries</i>. This is something I had to learn to do in order to heal. I wasn't aware that I didn't know my boundaries, but my energy would be diffused amongst everything that was happening outside of my self. My life had become one big <i>coping skill</i>, to deal with everything I was feeling. The most harmful coping skill I developed was blocking out painful and intense emotions, and blocking out negative emotions.<br />
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Healing involved learning to find my core essence, and using that inner core to find my boundaries, and direct my world from a place of inner power, rather than external stimulus. This has enhanced my gifts of empathy, intuitiveness, and creativity, and helped me to find balance and sanity and health in what is a very noisy world.<br />
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Recently a reader asked me how I knew I was recovering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.<br />
My response was that I started to <i>feel.</i> I didn't know I <i>wasn't</i> feeling, until I started to feel again. Like so many highly sensitive people I had become <i>overwhelmed</i> by feeling everything, that I shut down<br />
and ignored my own feelings. They were just another source of too much stimulation. So in my treatment I learned that my emotions were actually quite important, they serve a purpose, and it was through my emotions that I was able to find my core essence and heal myself.<br />
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Emotions are the language of the soul. The healing of any illness occurs when a person finds their way back to their core essence. Healing is coming back to source.<br />
<br />The Median_of Infinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835177872998028170noreply@blogger.com0