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"Why did you become a healthcare provider and educator?" is a question that I am asked frequently. My response is as follows: Many years ago, I contracted Viral Meningitis. I had been "sick" for a very long time prior to this infection. My entire outlook on life was rather dreadful. After visiting the hospital three times in five days, I was told there was nothing else that could be done for me. The brain was continuing to swell and the headache was unbearable. I knew I would not survive another twenty-four hours. I was helpless and hopeless at this time. My husband took me to "my" Chiropractor to see if Chinese Acupuncture would help with the headache. He worked on me for a short while and when the headache eased just enough that I could focus on what he was telling me, I saw the "light" or should I say became enlightened as to the journey I was to begin. My caretaker at this point went "Above and Beyond" the call of his duty and told me that some of the 'things' I was doing was hurting me. Sincerely, he said "Quit this, Stop that, etc. and I will help you." I believed him and help me he did! My road to recovery was a long one to travel, but I had a very good support system. I had a loving family, friends, and a wonderful doctor, who "really cared" whether I lived or died. In truth, no one lives or dies for you so the best care comes from someone who is not driven by wealth to help you; they are living a spiritual life.
Within a short time I changed my field of expertise and enrolled to eventually receive my title of Naturopathic Doctor. My education has taken me all over the country for training. I sought out the "best of the best" to teach me how to take care of my clients. When I first began school, I was very apprehensive as to whether or not I would be a "GOOD" caretaker. How would I inspire others to desire a better life for themselves? Would I be patient enough with the timid clients and could I be stern enough with the "hard" cases to make a change for the better for them? Questions, Self-doubt, Public criticism, Spiritual persecution, Financial hardships, and Personal threats have all been part of my journey to becoming an "Alternative" healthcare provider and educator.
Almost a decade has now past since we opened our health food store; The Herb Basket, established the Celtic Frost Herb Farm, and founded Harmony Holistic Health. To be completely honest, it has not been easy, but it has been very rewarding. I hope that I honor my friends, family, clients, and "my doctor" by striving to rise above and go beyond my duties to help all those who need assistance.
Through my experiences, I have learned that illness is a way of life for some. They have been "sick" for so very long that they subconsciously fear health. If they did not have their sickness, what would they have?
It is through illness that they we learn to celebrate life. If you do not know what it is like to be "sick", how can you appreciated a life that has absence of "disease". We can loose our fear and dread of death. We must honor our brothers/sisters' individual healing powers and inspire them to take an active role in their health and wellness. I believe the human body has the ability to heal itself of any malfunction. Removal of obstacles is sometimes the only thing that needs to be completed for the process to begin. These obstacles can stand in the way of Physical, Mental, Social, Emotional, or Spiritual wellness. If an emotion is continually repressed, it becomes buried deep in the body and will cause some type of physical, emotional, or spiritual "pain". If one suppresses spirituality, the soul begins to suffer. It deserves awakening.
My route to Spiritual understanding came slowly. There was religious education, scientific deduction, near death illness, abuse of every form, self and community criticism, and experiences of unforeseen obstacles that led me to my path of Spiritual growth. Sometimes a person's life can become so dramatically changed by spiritual enlightenment that he finds it difficult to fit into his culture. People fear anything that they do not understand and sometimes the end result is cultural rejection. Fear of Spiritual power is common to us all. Sometimes we misuse our capabilities but more often we deny and turn away from them. I would like to offer a question for you. Is spirituality manifested throughout your life, or are you just a believer? We must change our priorities. Sometimes Spirituality is watered-down with weak good deeds. We can all serve as Spiritual models rather than to appear as a leader or counselor who merely perpetuates the many different controversial faiths. Spiritual beliefs weave the fabric of our moral codes and our successful lives together as a community.
In closing, I do hope that each one of you learns to "love" yourself. To love another, one must truly love him or her self. Today, I love me! I am a sensitive, caring person. To become more positive and spiritually aware, we must choose wisely when and with whom we spend time with. Do not waste your time when someone is not focused, dedicated, or serious at making this world a better place for all to live. Additionally, We must have spiritual exercises such as music, dance, poetry, fellowship, etc. to continue our growth process to become the enlightened Spiritual beings we were born to be
I wish you all Health and Harmony! Blessed Be!
| Dr. Lora Hurley: Traditional Naturopath |