Our Story
Now 77, I continue to explore all I can about the mind, body, spirit connections to health. I was a Catholic nun and nurse for 29 years: learning from the disenfranchised, elders, families and children in their own homes in inner cities. I witnessed mental health diagnosis in my own family. At 39, I had a break, started therapy. Later my Mom’s Cancer diagnosis went into remission/healing even as my nine younger siblings grew up. Since 1987, when I left the Dominicans, I stayed the next 25 years in NY as supervisor, teacher, member of AHNA, NYNA. My company went bankrupt and away went my 401K, I worked per dium and kept learning about my loves: music, art, beauty, mind, body connection, was privileged to volunteer with Native Americans and the Franciscan Sisters in Montana, realized I am bisexual, learning from my relationships and what the phrase “God of my/your understanding” might mean. In 95 my body, namely my hips and back told me I needed to slow down and the MDs told me my joint pain needed a hip replacement in 1995. My nutritionist and chiropractor gave me exercises and pharmaceutical grade natural vitamins, including a network marketing company that offers me extra retirement income. Using these professional athlete vitamin and other complementary practices, I waited til 2015 to have hip replacement surgery.
Music, singing, my 9 younger siblings, many spiritual paths, including my Catholic foundation and 12 step programs, like Al Anon are my supports now. Through a second breakdown in NY, I came back home to Cincinnati in 2015, and found great love and compassion from my sisters, brothers, in-laws, as well as a vibrant and diversified city and, to my surprise an Urban Eco Village, to join. Am I ever blessed?
May I tell you some of the secrets to joy? First: find what you love, like, excel at and find a way to do it. Also be authentic about who you are, trust that your path will take time and be grateful for every step forward you take. And get to know and love yourself, learn to laugh, sing/hum, listen to music you enjoy; discover what kind of exercise/movement fits you, imagine like a movie, what you want and be grateful as much as possible. Be part of a church, club, support group. Notice what takes away your joy and make the lifestyle changes as you can. Be gentle with yourself and stay open to learn and mature.
My mission is to share with you how I came about making this shift. I am glad to share the overview ideas from different experts. And I/we are so blessed that I have teams that help me with everything. Marci: www.MarciSmithConsulting.com, Robyn: www.YogaBodyBliss.com, Elizabeth/Liz: www.wellontheWay.org Another RN in VA.