Rise and Praise

Good morning sweet friends!

I wanted to share a little bit of what's on my heart and my latest health experiences. I know some of you that read my postings also deal with anxiety, depression, grief and more. I share my personal experiences in hopes that I might be an encouragement and companion to you along your own journey towards healing. It is a lonely road when you travel on your own and I personally have been so encouraged when I have met other people/friends that are on the same path as me. It makes our experiences feel less lonely when there is someone there to listen and who truly understands what emotional and physical health hurdles you face each day. I hope that in some way my blog is a way for you to feel less lonely on this journey, and that the various health tips, recipes, strange concoctions :), quotes, and my personal experiences I share will bring your body and soul strength and encouragement.

The latest hurdle in my journey has been two Dr. visits on the military base here. It has been hard to switch from a caring holistic doctor in the States, who took lots of time with me and understood my approach to wanting to heal my body as naturally as possible (she would even give me a hug at the end of each visit; which I believe is some of the best medicine!), to now seeing a standard doctor that is more used to prescribing pills that only focus on the symptoms. There have been times I needed those, but I believe that it is extremely important to find the root of the problem and to have total physical and/or emotional healing.

My first doctor visit on the military base here was so terrible that I left the office in tears and my husband and I immediately went to the office to request a new PCM (essentially my military doctor while stationed in Germany). We were given a new doctor that I could see on post, and I am currently waiting to hear from the office if there is also a holistic doctor on the economy that I might be able to see.

Last week I went to see the new assigned doctor who was at least willing to listen to me and run some tests; instead of the prior one who was shoving me out the door before I could even finish what my symptoms are. The only problem now is that I personally absolutely believe that I am blood deficient, which is causing a lot of my symptoms that are unrelated to anxiety/panic, and so giving 6-7 tubes of blood ended up making me super lethargic and weak for three full days afterwards. I knew I needed to have the tests done but it really feels like I'm between a rock and a hard place sometimes. In the mean time I have been taking lots of iron supplements and making healthy meals that help with blood building. It seems to help me feel better after I eat/take these different things, but I also know that it takes time to build your blood. The past two days have been a little rough and scary due to feeling dizzy and "out of body" almost constantly throughout the day, so I end up feeling like I could pass out any second; which isn't very comforting when my hubby is away at work or on trips.

So, the moral of this story :)...is that I have been spending a lot of time focusing on verses in the Bible that I can meditate on when fear and anxiety start to creep into my thoughts. Dealing with anxiety and panic attack on their own are difficult enough. Throw in additional health issues and that panic becomes an even bigger monster that refuses to go away. I have found that praise and worship music really helps keep my mind off unhelpful thoughts and reminds me of where to focus my thoughts and put my faith. I know my God is bigger that any health issue or panic filled thought that ever enters my mind. I am determined to win this battle and I know that "nothing is impossible with God."- Luke 1:3

Here are a few of my favorites verses at the moment:

When I am upset and beside myself, he will calm me down and cheer me up.

(paraphrased from Psalm 94:19 in The Message)

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me.Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. 

Psalm 91:14-15 The Message

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns." 

Philippians 4:6- The Message

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers - most of which are never even seen - don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." 

 Matthew 6:30-34 -The Message

After the last two frustrating days, including this morning, of feeling unwell (shaky, out of body, dizzy, nauseous, etc.) and discouraged; I am determined to keep my mind focus on what I know to be true. My God adores me and knows my every need. He has everything under control and is just waiting for me to trust Him to provide and heal. I will choose to rejoice in all situations and live each day with purpose instead of fear. It is not an easy task, but I know I am not alone and he will give me encouragement and strength through my friends and family...as well as when I sit quietly to listen to His voice- He will speak life into my soul. 

So, this morning I woke up choosing to have an attitude of thankfulness for a beautiful day and went to make myself a yummy healthy smoothie with my new German blender :). Here are some snapshots of my morning.

Blessings to you along this trail we are on.
Your "hiking buddy" :),
Meg

Be blessed, Meg

Running the Race in Life

Happy Sunday friends!

The other day I was moved to tears after watching an extremely motivating and encouraging video of a gal who took a fall during a race on a track field in 2008. What moved me is her determination and how she showed so many people what can still be accomplished when you pick yourself up and run with perseverance.

Stress, worry, anxiety and fear are all crippling and I know from personal experience that it is often so difficult to pick myself up, so to speak, and keep running the race of life every day. This video is so simple but it was an emotional reminder to me that nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). 

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Be inspired by the video.

"Running a race" (in which I mean living every day life, haha) through anxiety and grief, or just every day stress in the modern world, in not a solo race. It is a relay race. I am learning that the heartache and struggles we go through in life are what link us together and allow us to become stronger as a team...as Believers. My life story and pain allows me to understand other women who have suffered loss and anxiety in a way that someone else may not know. No matter what our story, it is our responsibility as a Christan to "carry the baton" by being there to offer words of encouragement, prayer, or simply a listening ear. We all have our own race to run in life, but the beauty of the race is when we learn the art of passing along batons so that either others can help us finish the race, or we can help someone else continue.

And as an added bonus here is another video I just found of an Olympian that was determined to not give up. When his father saw his pain he ran out onto the track and helped his son finish the race. This is what our Heavenly Father does for us.

Inspired,

Meg

Take an Exhale!

(photo from loveliveeveryday.tumblr.com)

Good morning ladies! I was reading through some articles on Mind Body Green.com this morning and the last one of their highlights today is about learning simple breathing exercises to help calm your anxiety and nerves. I gave it a try and absolutely feel much more relaxed. The exercise simply involves exhaling longer than you inhale. When you do this you are telling your brain to turn on your parasympathetic nervous system (which controls how your body can rest and relax, as well as your digestion) and dial down the sympathetic nervous system (which elevates your heart rate, quickens your breathing, and is responsible for pumping cortisol hormones into your blood stream so that you are ready for whatever you are 'fighting or flighting').

I will be giving this technique a go every time I start to feel stressed or overwhelmed this week. I am going to keep a log of how long I do the exercise and what my mood is like after I am done. I would love to hear your feedback if you try it as well :o).

When life becomes to stressful and you start to feel the panic rise- take a breath...and then a LONG exhale!

Love, Meg

Transparency, Vunlerability, and Positive Thought

Whew...in the past few months my new hubby and I have moved from the States to Germany, and then traveled from Germany to Paris France, France back to Stuttgart Germany, Stuttgart to Munich; and now we are home for a week before we go back out the door.

I must admit we have learned valuable lessons in our marriage as we have traveled and driven in these wonderful and strange lands. One thing is for sure, I am probably not the best navigator/co-pilot in the world and we will definitely make sure we have a handy dandy GPS in the car when we embark on our next thrilling adventure :o). 

There has been lots of fun since we moved to Germany, but there have also been many difficult and trying moments. Europe is grand and we feel so blessed to have to opportunity to travel and see many wonderful things in the world. However, the price we have to pay to be here seems to be growing larger and gloomier each day. The tour that Daniel is serving in Germany will soon start requiring him to travel quite often throughout Europe for training; and then eventually the day will come when we will have to goodbye as he heads off to Afghanistan towards the end of the year. As most of you know this is something that will be super difficult not only because all deployments are, but also because I lost Tyler in Afghanistan 2 and a half years ago.

I still battle anxiety, as well as iron and adrenal issues,  so it has been a huge struggle to focus on positive thoughts now that we are starting to see a broader list of Daniel's itinerary for the next two years. Even though we are a ways from November I am finding that my emotions are ping-ponging all over the place and I seem to need a box of tissues every couple of days. 

I don't share this because I want to be a 'Debbie Downer', but I simply want to be transparent with friends and readers so that you can see into my heart and daily struggles a little easier.  

I started this blog as a result of my battle with anxiety after Tyler was killed in action; and even though sharing these struggles is an extremely vulnerable place to be, I want to make sure I am being honest about what I am still going through. When I first started searching the internet for answers and help to me deal with my panic attacks and grief I didn't find much at all that I could relate to or take helpful information from. I was constantly looking for people who might be dealing with the same emotions, grief, and physical reactions to their loss. I searched for hours to try and find healthy and holistic alternatives to anti-depression or anxiety drugs. Eventually I found a book that started to answer my questions a little and it at least got me started on some sort of path to healing. If you have been following my blog a little you know that I share a lot of the information I found in The Mood Cure in my earlier posts.

I still need answers for my physical healing, and I know that my emotional healing will always be a challenging journey. When you lose someone you love the experience you have gone through is forever a part of your being; and though you can find strength and healing as time goes by you will always feel the scar. 

I know that I never could have made it through my grief without my faith in God and the belief that He would mend my brokenness. I don't have the answers that I've wanted since September 10, 2009, but I know that I am not alone on this journey. I know that my God is there, whether I feel him or not, and he will carry me through if I am too weak to walk. There have been many times I can't hear his voice and many times I have questioned his love, but I have been through enough to know that He has been there as my rock in my time of deepest need. He has been there even when I didn't want him. He has blessed my life once more with an amazing man (that is now my adoring husband) when I thought that love had been forever stripped from my life. I know enough to know that I am broken- but I am blessed.

My biggest desire is that my experience with grief and anxiety will somehow encourage you to never give up if you are on the same journey for physical and emotional healing. I never want to be negative in my writing but simply share my thoughts and be completely honest. I will always try to find something positive to share along with the difficulties so that not only can I encourage you, but I can also remind myself of my blessings and triumphs. 

-Meg

 (On our way to our new home in Germany- February 2012)

That Which Has Been Your Delight

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."  ~Kahlil Gibran

Life has been busy busy busy once again, but I wanted to take a moment to share this quote. It has almost been two years since I lost Tyler in Afghanistan (Sept. 10th), and this time of year is always a lot tougher for me as that day approaches. It find myself fighting back tears more often than usual, and it's a little more of a challenge to manage my anxiety and adrenal issues. I've been panic attack free for about 5 months now (with the exception of low blood sugar causing one attack 3 months ago). However, I've been noticing subtle struggles in my body and mind the past 3 days or so. I ran out of 5HTP a few weeks back, so it's probably not helping that, during the most emotional time of the year for me,  I'm not taking the one natural supplement that has helped me in this process. I bought a new bottle the other day and am hoping that I notice my anxiety and adrenals calming down in the next few days.

Even though September brings more tears for me, I know that the reason I have tears is because I was blessed to have felt a love so deep. I am extremely thankful to have made so many amazing memories with Tyler while we were together. In moments when it seems impossible to breath, and tears flood my heart and soul, I stop to focus on all the happy memories that we shared; and remember that my tears are because I am blessed with memories in which I can now find comfort. I feel broken at times, but the delight and love that Tyler brought into my life are forever a part of me and shaping me for all that I am meant to be each day.

Stay Strong, Meg

The Thrills of the 'Ups and Downs'

The elated screams of roller coaster patrons filled the air and I immediately felt my heart beat faster. Instantly I wonder if I will have to battle my hands becoming shaky and if dizziness would set in. For a year I have felt trapped in my skin and unable to participate in the usual adrenaline pumping activities that I used to enjoy so much. I am an adventure bug at heart and love to challenge myself to do thrilling and daring things. One of my biggest fears, after discovering that I was dealing with chronic anxiety and adrenal issues, has been that I would never again be able to do all the fun things I love.

I started off the day with concerns about what my body would be able to handle, but I was also determined to keep my thoughts positive and pick my rides carefully (haha). And that's exactly what I did. My first ride was with my newly married younger sister and we had an absolute blast screaming at the top of our lungs. At the end of the ride we had to pry our fingers apart from clenching each other's hands so tightly. Haha. When we got off I quickly mentally scanned my body and realized that my hands were only slightly trembling. If I wasn't taking the holistic supplements that I've been taking the past 3 months I can guarantee that I would have been massively trembling from head to toe and fighting to remain consious. It felt so wonderful to feel free of the trappings of anxiety.

I rode 5 rides during the day and even though that's not as many as my family, I was still so pleased that I was able to strap myself inside even one. It was a great day of new ups and downs and I am super excited to be making progress with my anxiety and adrenal problems in a natural way.

Stay Encouraged,
Meg



Lacing Up My Determination

I know I've been MIA the past couple weeks. so I wanted to at least update you on what I've been up to and also share some great quotes I found today.

I have been spending a lot more time working out and running, now that I feel like my adrenal glands and panic attacks are under more control. I can't even put into words how great it is to feel a little more "normal" and to be able to get my heart rate up with a good workout. The 5HTP seems to really be helping a lot !

This past Saturday I decided last minute to run a 5K, in the crazy heat, and have been trying to recuperate since then. Haha. I ran with a few friends and we all had a pretty tough time, due to the heat and humidity, even though it was a twilight run at 8:30PM. We all got pretty disappointing finishing times, but I kept trying to remind myself that what mattered is that I got out there and challenged myself and at least finished it standing up and not passed out on the course. Haha. It was a good challenge and I can at least say I ran a 5K during one of Washington DC/Northern VA's hottest weeks ever!

I have been determined to get through these panic attacks and adrenal issues since the very first day they showed up and I am so pleased to finally, after a very long time of researching and trial and error, be able to start accomplishing my goals. One of the things that Tyler told me before he deployed was that he wanted me to continue to go after my dreams and never give up...I think he would be proud.

I was looking on-line today for some good encouraging quotes to add to my collection and I wanted to share what I found, in hopes that it might encourage you. I hope you enjoy.

Meg

"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can."

~ Unknown

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."

~ Unknown

"Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."

~ Aldous Huxley

Before. . .

After. . .

Strength in Your Stride

"Life is a Journey, Not a Destination." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Whether you are walking through grief from loss, dealing with anxiety, suffering through depression, or all three; I promise there is hope for healing and happiness along the way. It has almost been two years since I lost the person I thought I would be sharing my journey through life with (full story on Who Is the Watered Sprout page); and even though there have been so many obstacles on this unexpected route through grief, I have always somehow made it past the challenge and continued to press forward. One of the things Tyler used to say to me all the time was the quote I posted above. He would look me square in the eyes and gently remind me to enjoy all the ups and downs in the journey of life and focus less on the destination. Dealing with grief and anxiety is no exception to the rule. I have found it to be that much more important for me to "live in the moment" and not focus on what the future holds. When I find myself rushing through moments in life, or worrying about what obstacles are ahead of me on this path, I try to stop and remember Tyler's determined gaze and Arkansas accent lovingly reminding me to take a chill pill and be patient with life.

Yesterday morning I was reading more in the book Unattended Sorrow and  I really liked what the author says about the mindset through loss, and how simply walking can be a crucial tool to enabling ourselves to heal...

(Excerpts pgs. 96-104)

"When we investigate our feelings instead of blindly following them, relating to them with mercy and  mindfulness instead of relating from them with fear and despair, we can glimpse the difference between  freedom and bondage...Grief and all the inflictive emotions that are associated with it have a certain hallucinatory quality about them insists it is going to go on forever and only going to get worse...Fear says, "I will ruin you!" and a moment later, turning toward fear with mindful fascination, we find ourselves "a whole world new person."...We begin to discover just how much of our anger, our fear, and our distrust in everything but our pain is a manifestation of unattended sorrow...Unresolved grief results from not only the loss of a loved one but also from the way that life roller-coasters between clinging for dear life and a hollowness in the pit of the stomach. Most of our resentments in life, no matter how guilefully disguised by the mind, are actually a grief reaction spawned from earlier feelings of loss...It may take being lost in the maze of feeling totally hopeless and helpless before we can eventually surrender our pain, open it to investigation and eventual healing...When we investigate, we find beneath the grief of anger a reservoir of sadness. And beneath that sadness, an ocean of love beyond our wildest dreams...

Today, take yourself for a walk.Walking, much like singing, steadies the mind...At first we find the mind doing the walking; then the body soon takes over, and with that, our thoughts are free to flow...As we watch the beginning, the middle, and the end of each step.perhaps we notice thoughts with that same focused attention-the beginning, the middle, and end of each thought-before each blends into the next...After walking for a while, stop to rest...Sit quietly, reflecting with the mindfulness accumulated with each step fully noticed. Feel the body you sit in, listen for the sounds that take a moment to hear, feel the air on your skin..."

I have found this past year that it really has been helpful for me to briskly walk or run when I am dealing with emotional pain. There was a time, mostly the first year of dealing with the overwhelming grief, that I couldn't muster up the energy or desire to even leave my bed, room, or apartment, but eventually I worked my way out the door and then took one step at a time. As days passed, my walks turned into runs and I continued to add more strides each time. There are still emotional days that sneak up on me and drain me of my energy and motivation to to do much; and dealing with panic attacks and muscle complications from my IT band and hips have definitely been a challenge, but I know that each time I make it out the door and walk or run I am gaining strength in my body and my soul.

So, lace up your shoes and head out with me on a little run or walk to soak up some sun, feel the wind against your back, and set your thoughts free. You just might find that your worries stay on the path behind you, making a little more room for peace to move into your heart.

Meg

Candle Love

Yes I must admit, I have a SERIOUS addiction to candles. I honestly don't think there is anything more relaxing than being in a room full of lit candles. It has definitely become my therapy of choice on days when I feel like I need to take a 'chill pill' after dealing with the stressed of life. I currently have 5 candles around me and I feel as happy as a little clam :o). I have no idea why, but I have been enamored with candles since I was little. Maybe it's the mesmerizing way the flame dances like a firefly, or just the warmth of the ambiance that fills the room. Either way, it is my self prescribed therapy. If I lived next to the beach that would be the untimate therapy for the soul, but until then candles will do :o).

So, if you are feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders then you absolutely must surround yourself in a peaceful room of whimsically flickering candles, grab a relaxing book, maybe listen to a little of this, and let the stress melt away :o).

Happy Relaxing, Meg

What is Rolf?

I mentioned in an earlier post that I am considering acupuncture/acupressure to help with my anxiety and panic attacks. As I've been researching possible benefits I have come across other techniques as well. I found this article today,http://www.naturalhealthmag.com/fitness/mind-body/lose-pain, and am wondering if anyone has ever heard of Rolf and has been treated by this technique. What are your thoughts/experiences?

http://www.rolf.org/about

Meg

No Place Like Home

There truly isn't any place like being home with family...

Last Saturday I decided to drive the two hours out to my parent's place in the country, so that I could spend the rest of the weekend away from the bustle of the city and visit with my parents and youngest sister. I have to admit that I was pretty unmotivated to sit in the car that long, and spend the money on all the gas that the trip usually takes; but after debating about the drive I decided that I would look at it as an opportunity to enjoy the summer air and some tunes. So, I hopped in the car, rolled down the windows, and let the wind carry the radio tunes out my windows like a streamer of notes behind me.

My family and I spent the evening sitting outside and enjoying each other's company. My baby sis (who is now 16) and I roasted a few marshmallows over a fire pit on the back patio and chatted into the wee hours of the night. It was so nice to connect with them and just enjoy the summer evening.

What I've learned over the past few years, as I've gone through loss and anxiety, is that the people in my family are absolutely my best friends. I have had many friends turn out to be more of a foe; and have received what has felt like a 'stab in the back', due to their unjust gossip, judgment, or hasty advice for what's best for me as I've dealt with grief. It has been a very disheartening journey, but it has also opened my eyes to how much my family is more than just my family. They are the ones that have been by my side every step of my journey through grief. They have wept with me and laughed with me through everything. They have strengthened me with simply their presence or their voice over the phone.

Sure, I still have a small handful of friends that have shown unconditional love, and I treasure them; but when I think about where I feel safe, protected, unjudged, and strengthened,...it is at home. It has been my immediate, as well as extended, family that has been my safety net through all the tears, doubts, and fears.

Experiencing anxiety, due to losing a loved one, has not been an easy process. Going through grief is a difficult experience that is different for each person. Unless someone has gone through the heartache of loss (loved one, pet, job, etc.), or the overstimulation of anxiety, then it is almost impossible for them to understand the struggles a person faces due to those experiences. Many well intentioned friends have inflicted pain on others by their words and what they thought was encouragement. Unfortunately, there is no way to know what is best for a grieving friend unless you have experienced the same pain, and even then it still may not be an appropriate answer.

When I think about my family, and fellow grieving friends,  I think of the compassion and patients they have extended towards me; because of the bond of 'family'....family by blood and family by our souls' shared experience of grief.

My hope is that my experiences going through grief and anxiety will help mold me into a more understanding and loving friend to others that are hurting from the same thing. As a Christian I believe we are all called to treat others with unconditional love. I know I have failed friends in many ways, and I hope that each day I am able to show a little more of what I need in my own life as well.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - 1 Cor. 13:4-7

I desire to be a friend that makes those around me like thay are 'home'...unjudged and fully loved.

Meg

Toxins Masquerading in Cute Labels

Hi Friends!

I've been passionate for a long time about informing my girlfriends and family about the toxins in their cosmetics/beauty products. The products you put ON your body are just as important as what you put IN your body. The chemicals that we soak up stress our body's system out that much more. When you are dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, or intense stress, it's only that much more crucial that you are aware of how these chemicals, masked in clever marketing labels, play a part in adding to stress in your body. This video is super cute and very informative. It's done in an entertaining way, that will make you laugh, and help you learn about what you are really using to make yourself 'beautiful'.

Video Link- The Story of Cosmetics

Much Love, Meg

Clinging to Natural Healing

Well, another school year has come to an end and the summer has arrived. Life has felt like quite a whirlwind this month. I said goodbye to my two pre-k classes, my younger sister got married (the first wedding for the 4 of us girls), and then Memorial Day came. There has been such a vast array of emotions as these milestones have arrived this month; and despite my best efforts to face any emotion, I have found myself dealing with an increase in my anxiety level and have suffered from more consistent panic attacks the past few weeks.

I continue to take a low grade prescription of Clonazepam, when I absolutely feel that I need it, but my goal is to be taking only natural remedies. I found an article on http://www.naturalnews.com/ with a list of natural alternatives, some I'm already taking, and others I am planning on introducing into my daily routine. I wanted to share the link with you and find out if any of you have tried some/all of them, and what your thoughts are on how effective you found certain herbs/minerals. I am also looking into acupuncture as a remedy and am curious if anyone has ever tried it, specifically for anxiety.

The three things that seem to help my anxiety during/after a difficult day are: Natural Calm (Magnesium Suppliment), Emotional Ally by Wish Garden Herbs, and SAM-e (200 mg)

Link: Natural Healing for Anxiety and Panic Disorders

To Watering Our Sprout of Hope, Meg

Courage to Explore Your Heart

Hi friends,

It's been a while since I've written or posted on here, so I wanted to at least share a little something from the book I've been reading, the Unattended Sorrow: Recovering from Loss and Reviving the Heart, by Stephen Levine.I bought the book about 4 months ago and it has been a slow process to mentally digest the words as I turn each page. Even though I've only made it through 10 of the small chapters, there are already so many things that I have underlined and feel as though he was writing specifically to me. Some of my favorites in chapters 2 and 3 are:

"So we must bear loss as deeply as we cared."

 "...grief is like driving at night: though you can see only a few feet ahead of you, you can make the whole journey that way."

"Healing is replacing our merciless reactions with a merciful response."

There are so many quotes and words of wisdom that I have found in this little jem of a book. Some of the chapters have been a little emotionally draining because there are words that have opened my wounds a little more than I was prepared to feel. I was about to stop readying because of the rising emotion I felt each time I open the cover, but then I reached this sentence; and I became determined to finish the whole book no matter how long it might take me to process emotionally....

"In order to balance our fear with our courage, we must trust our pain enough to explore it."

That sentence has become part of my pep talk that I give myself on more difficult days. I hope that it inspires and encourages you just a little too. When you find yourself in a moment that seams to heavy, remember that you are not alone and that each painful moment can make you more courageous.

Much Love, Meg

Natural Calm Supplement

This is one of my favorite supplements so far for managing anxiety and stress. I use the original flavor, which just tastes like a lemon tea, but will be trying the other flavors as soon as I need to replenish my supply. I use this whenever I feel that I'm having an "off" day, or just a little run down. I have also drank it in the middle of a panic attack and it is one of the few things that I have felt has made a noticeable difference. If you are looking for something to restore balance to your body and help you through your anxiety, of any level, then definitely give this a try.

Here is the link if you would like to check it out: http://www.calmnatural.com/naturalcalm

Let me know what you think :o)

Meg

The Truth About Depression and Anxiety Meds- Dr. Mercola Video

Check out this video when you have a few minutes. Know what you are putting in your body, and that there are safe alternatives to help with depression and anxiety!

Depression is NOT a Chemical Imbalance in Your Brain- Dr. Mercola Link:http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/06/frightening-story-behind-the-drug-companies-creation-of-medical-lobotomies.aspx

Meg