Community
Spirit: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.
by Dr. Lora Hurley, Traditional
Naturopath
"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.
Humankind is experiencing spiritual rebirth. Goals are changing
from the ever present "Keeping up with the Jones' material
wealth mentality" to a harmonious life with the Body, Mind,
Spirit living as one in with vibrations of the divine. We can
now see that happiness is being able to live a more calm, peaceful,
and fulfilling life without day to day pressures to excel in
finances only.
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!.
