Journey.
By definition: any course or passage from one stage or experience to another
I had absolutely no intention of writing this post, ever! Until this morning! Apparently the Man-in-charge had other plans!
I received a “gift” two and half years ago. The “gift” didn’t have a motor and it didn’t sparkle and it was not a ticket to some far away land! It was a nugget of knowledge that would forever change my life.
This is not an easy subject for me. Not because I am unwilling to talk about it, but because I am unwilling to lend importance to it. But then there was the “gift” and without telling you a little bit about my journey I would be unable to tell you about IT.
I talk so often about words that I love, but I’ve never told you about the one word that I like the least: migraine. “They” decided to take roost in my body twenty years ago. “They” because I refuse to take ownership of them, “they” are not mine. Never, in a million years, would I give them that kind of power over me.
I believe, with every cell in my body, that I (we) have the God given right to be well. I have operated on that belief from day one. I left modern medicine when a doctor looked me square in the eyes and told me “You have an incurable illness”. HUH? Wait. Let me see if I get this….I have an “incurable illness” that’s never going to kill me? Okay. Ah, I’m getting it now. I just got handed a ball and chain! Got a slap on the back and was told to go live my dreams, climb a mountain, you can do anything….but don’t forget to take along your ball and chain.
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For me, unacceptable. I wanted answers. I wanted to know WHY. It seemed reasonable to me that if I knew WHY then I would know how to stop them. Little did I know the sequence of events that lay ahead of me and would define my (on-going) journey. And don’t even get me started on this amazing man I married who has never wavered in his support and encouragement. Not one dollar, not one day.
I entered the alternative medicine world and began to surround myself with people who began to teach me how to be well. Answers! Two and half years ago I was with one of my “teachers” when she casually gave me this “gift”. A little piece of gold called The Optimum Health Institute (OHI). A mere 45 minutes from my home and I had no clue it existed! God brought that bit of information to me at the exact moment that He knew I was ready. Grace.
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That particular summer was quite busy and I had one week at the end of July that I could go and I did. The experience was unbelievable and the transformation amazing! So, I returned the following Fall for a two week stay. As of this moment, I am currently in the middle of my fifth visit and at the end of the week I will have spent a total of eight weeks here! I am not going to tell you anything about the program, you can visit the website if you are interested or curious. Besides, I might scare you! Joking! Maybe. I will tell you that it is, hands-down, the hardest thing I have ever done and it is also, hands-down, the most rewarding thing I have ever done! It is a test mentally, physically and spiritually.
I have met people from all over the world. From Africa, Brazil, Scotland, England, Canada and every corner of the United States. My grandmother used to have a saying: “If everyone took their troubles out and hung them on the line, we would all come back in with our own.” I have to look no further than the stories I have heard at OHI to know the truth and wisdom of her words. And to think, for one minute, that I have anything in my life to complain about is simply ridiculous. Including migraines.
I know, that with one beat of my heart, God could stop them. He has not chosen to do that. While there have been many times I have asked for relief from the pain, I have never questioned that this is part of His perfect plan for my life. I look back and think about the knowledge I would not have, the lessons I would not have learned and the people I would not have met. I would not wish them on my worst enemy, nor would I trade the last twenty years of my life to be migraine free. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that there is a day when I will be without them. Until then (and very likely after) I will come to OHI.
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When I leave here on Friday I will be thrilled to be going home, thankful for God’s hand in this experience and one day closer to migraines roosting elsewhere!
I don’t know why I felt compelled to share this with you. Must have been that tug of Divine intervention! I am not seeking sympathy, it makes me very uncomfortable. If not for the “gift” it is probably something you might never have known about me. But when I woke up this morning my first thought was: Someone gave this “gift” to me, why would I not give it to someone else?
November 9th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I would say “what a sweet post” not because writing about migraines is sweet but because you wrote it from your heart. I’ve only had one migraine in my entire life but it was enough to last a lifetime, it sent me to the hospital. Now, what I do have occassionally, not often, are the aura’s (I think that’s what you call them, when you feel the onset of a migraine coming on), then my vision blurs and I just know I have to sit still for about 20 minutes until it’s gone. I don’t understand this either other than maybe it’s God’s way of telling me to slow down for awhile. I’m either at fast speed or no speed. I’m in total agreement with you about not giving place to them because you are right God’s will is that we are whole and healthy. Be well my friend and thanks for this, T
November 9th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Wow Janet, what a gift you have given us….the gift of opening up about something so personal. You have the most amazing way with words (maybe ’cause you love them so much?). Your husband is the sweetest and spoils you rotten…which I just love! You deserve to be spoiled.
While I don’t suffer from headaches, much less migraines, Danny does on a regular basis. He and Jenn both do, so I think I may check in to this. Thank you for sharing.
Debbie
November 9th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
my sweet sweet friend…i have seen you for many years deal with the “pain” and it makes my heart so happy to actually READ the peace you have found. please always know i am here for you and think of you everyday…i feel so blessed to have you in my life and very grateful to God that he has helped you find the peace you SO deserve. love you so much!
November 9th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Wow! I had not suffered a migraine for 2 years and just did two Saturdays ago. Big and bad and ugly. Imitrex is my friend. I’ll be interested to peruse the site that you mentioned. I’m glad your experience at OHI is so positive. And I so much love to hear others sing the praises of God! I do love me some God. ~Mindy
November 10th, 2009 at 8:58 am
WOW! What a fantastic post. I really enjoyed reading it! I to suffer with this problem….kind of inspirational to me! Thanks for sharing!
November 10th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Someone very close to me suffered from migraines so I have seen the terrible effects up close and spent a fair amount to time in emergency rooms. You handle your situation with such grace – I hope and pray they will soon no longer be a part of your life. I’d like to post your grandmother’s “troubles” quote – it’s so true but I’ve never heard it put so well or so succinctly!
November 10th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Talk about gifts…you have such a beautiful way wit words…they just seem to flow effortlessly. However, I know that this wasn’t an effortless post. It took a lot of bravery to post it and I am overwhelmed by your honesty, trust and love of God. What a blessing you are to all of us, Janet. I love you dearly! Sandi
November 10th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I feel like I have stepped into a very intimate gathering of friends. You are obviously very special ,Janet and I love our new acquaintance – not really friendship, yet, but I hope so over time. You are my favorite kind of person in that you open your heart so generously.Thank you and I wish good health and God’s blessings.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Oh, Janet, I know headaches and migraines. I can relate, and I sure do empathize with you. I find it’s hard for people to understand unless they’ve experienced it themselves. Myself, I’ve found that I’m very sensitive to barometric pressure changes in the atmosphere, so this wet and rainy summer caused a lot of suffering for me.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
You, my dear friend, are the “gift”… What a blessing you are to all… Love you!