Good to be back.

Well, it's good to be back... Late last January, I took a week off to let my body recover a bit... Which turned into two weeks... Which turned into nine months...

It's kind of a roller coaster of a story. If you are a past reader of my blog, you may recall I live with a histamine disorder - which, in short, makes eating a challenge, but also exposure to heat, exercise, outdoor/indoor allergens, chemicals in products, lack of sleep and stress. 

Over the past few years I had found my equilibrium a bit, within these new parameters. I have learned to appreciate the shade, slower walks, restorative yoga, clean products and an earlier bedtime. A pretty healthy arrangement, really. But for reasons, frankly, still a mystery to me and much of the medical community, added to the list of offenders are now technology: computers, wi-fi, cell phones, cordless phones and microwaves. As you may or may not be able to imagine... this is a harder pill to swallow - a more difficult acclimation to make, especially when your livelihood is to coach by phone.

After nine months I can now use a speaker on a corded phone for 15+ minutes at a time, use a laptop with an ethernet cable (no wi-fi) for 1-2 hours on a good day and go shopping or into a group of people with little incident.  My kids have had to give up their iPads (not all bad) and my husband keeps his iPhone on airplane mode when I am around. I print out maps for driving directions. I use a paper calendar and address book. I write letters and send cards. We heat food up on the stove. With a pan!!!  In other words, we live in 1980.  (Try it for one day. I dare you.)   :) 

For awhile, I waited for it to pass. After about four months, I began to adjust my life. For example, I am writing this blog on paper rather than online, and will quickly type it up once completed. (Speaking honestly, I was pretty discouraged about no longer being able to write my blog and otherwise, until it occurred to me: there were books before computers! Go figure.) 

Funny story: In about April, looking for ways to occupy my time and interest, I took a seven-week course at my church on how to grow a prosperity (vs. lack) mindset. Each week there was homework. Two to three weeks in, the assignment was to make a list of all the people you may need to forgive - and then one-by-one, do that work. I started at the easier end of the list (can you blame me?) and got about half way through, prepared to show up to class with my assignment incomplete.  That very morning, I had a doctor appointment before the class - with the very progressive kind of MD who doesn't bill insurance - and exiting the restroom, I missed a step and landed in the ER with a very sprained ankle and dislocated accessory bone in my foot. I missed class that day, needless to say, and on my couch, foot iced and elevated with crutches at the ready - I started to laugh and said, "OK - I hear you now! I get the message!" First, I can't be as active as I want. Then I can't use technology. Now I can't walk. OK, OK, OK - I will do the work!! So I pulled out my class notebook and completed my assignment. Then I worked with my therapist and really went on a journey of self-forgiveness, awareness and gratitude. 

A number of months prior to the injured foot incident I spoke with a woman who has had a similar technology issue who said - part of the path to health was a personal one, work on herself. That somehow there is an aspect related to inner energy and toxic emotions. ???  She referred to the journey in hindsight, as a "beautiful time." Though messy in the middle, I would now, too, concur. 

Recently, my financial planner asked me about my biggest lessons from this whole experience. It made me pause a bit. And I decided, it sounded like a perfect topic for my next blog. So stay tuned for that topic, next week. 

P.S. A couple quick updates: 1) I was on crutches for nine weeks, in a boot for six weeks and am still going to physical therapy and acupuncture, never so grateful for my ability to walk. 2) The best way to reach me is by email at Gretchen@OptimalLifeCoaching.com.  3) My landline is 952.403.9891 (sorry no texts.)

I would love to hear from you - and sincerely hope you are well.
Gretchen