Hi I'm Mari and I want share a little about myself and why I created this website. I started out much like other people that lives here in the US. Here we learn the "American way of life", to work hard so that you can get married, buy a house, and car and work hard until you retire. Well I did what I thought I was supposed to do like many others.
Looking back, would I have done my life the same way or would I have made changes? I am going to have to say that I would have made some changes, but that is easy when you are looking from the outside in. What would I have changed? Well for me, I would have done a lot of things differently but I think there was lessons there that I needed to learn.
Now 2 1/2 years later, I know that I did not have to be miserable. I could have made changes to make my life easier, more enjoyable, A life worth living. If there is one thing that I want you to take away from this is that we can make changes to make our lives better. It may mean working for less money or moving some place else, or you may start your own business, but if that makes you happy, if it feeds your soul, if it makes you want to get up in the morning and look forward to the day, then I say GO FOR IT.
Looking back, would I have done my life the same way or would I have made changes? I am going to have to say that I would have made some changes, but that is easy when you are looking from the outside in. What would I have changed? Well for me, I would have done a lot of things differently but I think there was lessons there that I needed to learn.
Now 2 1/2 years later, I know that I did not have to be miserable. I could have made changes to make my life easier, more enjoyable, A life worth living. If there is one thing that I want you to take away from this is that we can make changes to make our lives better. It may mean working for less money or moving some place else, or you may start your own business, but if that makes you happy, if it feeds your soul, if it makes you want to get up in the morning and look forward to the day, then I say GO FOR IT.
Don’t waste your life being sad and unhappy. Sadness and unhappiness just shortens our lives and create both physical and mental pain. Believe me I know, because I could have written a book on pain and misery. Live the life you want to live. Live where you want to live. Be with the person you love, (and who loves you) be a part of a community that love and supports you and vice-versa. I admit it is easy to say, but then doing it is a totally different thing, we find ourselves stuck in a place of misery and don't do anything about it because we think it is easier. I know, as I did it for most of my life.
Most of my life was spent being depressed, and crawling through the muck of my misery. I had health issues from the age of 13 and by the time I was 19 I was in constant pain. The pain I endured was in my arms, shoulders and hands and it even effected my work. I ended up taking breaks to sit with hot packs around my hands so I could make it through the day. I went to the doctor to see if he could figure out what was going on. At that time, 1974, they had not yet realized that there was a condition that plagues so many people. My doctor took blood and xrays to see if I might have Rheumatoid Arthritis and my blood work came back normal. I knew that there was something going on because I was in pain. As the years went by my condition worsened and I developed more things. (You see, I had Fibromyalgia and the worsening of symptoms and related conditions is very common for those who have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia) The pain had spread throughout my body and I now had pain everywhere in my body, from my head to my toe. Because of the pain I had developed insomnia. Many people with Fibromyalgia also experience migraines, Irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ (Jaw joint) dysfunction, and chronic depression. Well I was no different as I had it all. I was overweight, craved sugar (because I was so tired all the time) and basically miserable. In addition to all that, my Cholesterol was high and I was developing high blood pressure, and started have episodes of angina (chest pain). I had a basket full of prescription medications that I was taking on a regular basis to try and control the symptoms. I took pills to for pain, both Anti-inflammatory and narcotics, pills for Migraines, pill to help me sleep and pills for depression, pills stomach/digestive issues (GERD and IBS) and of course pills for high cholesterol. My doctors then wanted to start me on high blood pressure medications, but I resisted. I felt like things were just getting worse......more pills more problems. Because of my episodes of chest pain I was given Nitroglycerine to carry with me in case I had another episode of chest pain. At that point I WAS READY to MAKE A CHANGE. I could see where my life was going and it was not good.
The universe was listening as I made that declaration, as that is when I met my best friend, Suada. She knew exactly what I needed and she was there to support me on my road to taking my life back, to transforming my life to one of health and happiness. I believe when the student is ready the teacher will appear and she was that form me. I was ready to let go of the emotional and physical pain to find out what is on the other side. Suada was a great teacher and mentor in making the changes to start me on the road to health. She started me on supplements that helped me detox, and maintain my health. She then started to educate me in a different wasy of eating and what foods were better than others. She explain why I wasn't going on a diet, but that I was actually making a lifestyle change. After seven years of taking supplements and continuing to eat "healthy" I now feel that I have control over my life and health. You see, education was the key for me and I truly believe it is the key for everyone that wants to find health. Before I was eating all the wrong foods and I did not know it. My diet consisted of Fast food, fried foods, tons of sugar; candy bars and sweet sugary drinks, tons of coffee and carbonated drinks. I was killing myself by what I was putting into my body. Now, I am so much better and love my veggies. I think twice about what I put into my body and I can tell you it makes all the difference. I encourage you to consider what you are putting into your body as it may change your life and your health in a big way, as it did for me. I am a success story as I lost 40 pounds and stopped using ALL prescription drugs. The first step was supplements and changing what I ate, then yoga (stretching) and exercise. I have learned that movement is life especially when you have Fibromyalgia. Now I am passionate about helping others getting their health back and believe that in order to be happy and healthy that we need to incorporate a multi-pronged approach. The right food (Organic is the best/pure food), supplements (because we don't get all the nutrients we need), exercise to gain muscle and flexibility, reduce stress, and spirituality (You do not have to believe in God to meditate or walk in the woods to feel that feeling that you can just let go). That is my recipe for health and happiness, because I do not believe that you can have one without the other.
You might think that this is the end of my story, but there's more. I don’t think change happens all at once but once you make that shift then your life will never be the same. I will just say that my life now is barely recognizable, and I would not have it any other way. I am now fulfilling one of my life long dreams now that i have my health back. I spend my time traveling around the world being able to explore all those places I was never able to see before and meeting all sorts of people along the way. How did I know that traveling was part of me? well it just felt right and like it was something that felt familiar and a part of me. ( I now have so many new friends from all over the world and my life feels so rich now.) I have been traveling since October, 2011 and have not stayed in one place longer than for months and it has been an forgettable experience. I am so much richer for it. When you set out on a journey by yourself you find out things about yourself along the way. You realize who you are, what you want and don't want and getting to spend time by yourself leads you to know more about yourself than you ever knew before. I now believe that my days as a traveler are coming to an end, as I want to settle some place for awhile to see if that place is a good fit for me. (now that I have the traveling bug in my genes I won't give it up entirely and there are so many places yet unexplored and so many new people to get to know) I now know that I want to have a place to call "my own" and a community of friends and of spirit. A place that warms my body and feeds my soul. A place where I can find nature and walk on the beach. I am creating that in my head and heart so I know that I am headed that way. I don't know how I did it, but I did and it just started with making that decision (setting my intention) and then taking the action steps, just like I did when I made a decision to live in health. I want you to know, that I am no different than you and if I can do what I have done, then so can you. We are the only one that stops us from doing or getting what we want.
I hope and believe that you to have the courage to take your first step, as I did when I made the decision; to change my health and set out on the open road to make those big changes in my life. I had to have courage to say goodbye to my family for the first time. I had to have courage leave my community of friends and spiritual community. I can tell you I cried as I went through old family pictures and as my furnishings and personal belongings went out the front door. I cried as I put my home up for rent, and when it came to leaving the place I had lived for 35 years. All I had to do was take that "first step" and did it. (I walked to the edge of the cliff and faced my fears and took the leap hoping that my parachute would open and it did).
So Now, it is time for me to embark on another journey , with my heart wide open, as I believe that I have discovered my life’s purpose (my passion and desire). My purpose has been to create this website, "Her Story in Shift". I have a vision of this becoming a global community. A global community that can create shift/change for you, for each other, and for the planet. I believe that together we can be change makers. If we share our stories and desires we become teachers, and students and grow together to change the world as we know it. All you have to do is take the first step. I am here waiting for you, with open arms. Will you join me in being a part of the shift?
My Contact Information:
Mari Prator
cell: 503-568-3644
Skype: Mari Sue Healer
email: herstoryinshift@gmail.com
Most of my life was spent being depressed, and crawling through the muck of my misery. I had health issues from the age of 13 and by the time I was 19 I was in constant pain. The pain I endured was in my arms, shoulders and hands and it even effected my work. I ended up taking breaks to sit with hot packs around my hands so I could make it through the day. I went to the doctor to see if he could figure out what was going on. At that time, 1974, they had not yet realized that there was a condition that plagues so many people. My doctor took blood and xrays to see if I might have Rheumatoid Arthritis and my blood work came back normal. I knew that there was something going on because I was in pain. As the years went by my condition worsened and I developed more things. (You see, I had Fibromyalgia and the worsening of symptoms and related conditions is very common for those who have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia) The pain had spread throughout my body and I now had pain everywhere in my body, from my head to my toe. Because of the pain I had developed insomnia. Many people with Fibromyalgia also experience migraines, Irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ (Jaw joint) dysfunction, and chronic depression. Well I was no different as I had it all. I was overweight, craved sugar (because I was so tired all the time) and basically miserable. In addition to all that, my Cholesterol was high and I was developing high blood pressure, and started have episodes of angina (chest pain). I had a basket full of prescription medications that I was taking on a regular basis to try and control the symptoms. I took pills to for pain, both Anti-inflammatory and narcotics, pills for Migraines, pill to help me sleep and pills for depression, pills stomach/digestive issues (GERD and IBS) and of course pills for high cholesterol. My doctors then wanted to start me on high blood pressure medications, but I resisted. I felt like things were just getting worse......more pills more problems. Because of my episodes of chest pain I was given Nitroglycerine to carry with me in case I had another episode of chest pain. At that point I WAS READY to MAKE A CHANGE. I could see where my life was going and it was not good.
The universe was listening as I made that declaration, as that is when I met my best friend, Suada. She knew exactly what I needed and she was there to support me on my road to taking my life back, to transforming my life to one of health and happiness. I believe when the student is ready the teacher will appear and she was that form me. I was ready to let go of the emotional and physical pain to find out what is on the other side. Suada was a great teacher and mentor in making the changes to start me on the road to health. She started me on supplements that helped me detox, and maintain my health. She then started to educate me in a different wasy of eating and what foods were better than others. She explain why I wasn't going on a diet, but that I was actually making a lifestyle change. After seven years of taking supplements and continuing to eat "healthy" I now feel that I have control over my life and health. You see, education was the key for me and I truly believe it is the key for everyone that wants to find health. Before I was eating all the wrong foods and I did not know it. My diet consisted of Fast food, fried foods, tons of sugar; candy bars and sweet sugary drinks, tons of coffee and carbonated drinks. I was killing myself by what I was putting into my body. Now, I am so much better and love my veggies. I think twice about what I put into my body and I can tell you it makes all the difference. I encourage you to consider what you are putting into your body as it may change your life and your health in a big way, as it did for me. I am a success story as I lost 40 pounds and stopped using ALL prescription drugs. The first step was supplements and changing what I ate, then yoga (stretching) and exercise. I have learned that movement is life especially when you have Fibromyalgia. Now I am passionate about helping others getting their health back and believe that in order to be happy and healthy that we need to incorporate a multi-pronged approach. The right food (Organic is the best/pure food), supplements (because we don't get all the nutrients we need), exercise to gain muscle and flexibility, reduce stress, and spirituality (You do not have to believe in God to meditate or walk in the woods to feel that feeling that you can just let go). That is my recipe for health and happiness, because I do not believe that you can have one without the other.
You might think that this is the end of my story, but there's more. I don’t think change happens all at once but once you make that shift then your life will never be the same. I will just say that my life now is barely recognizable, and I would not have it any other way. I am now fulfilling one of my life long dreams now that i have my health back. I spend my time traveling around the world being able to explore all those places I was never able to see before and meeting all sorts of people along the way. How did I know that traveling was part of me? well it just felt right and like it was something that felt familiar and a part of me. ( I now have so many new friends from all over the world and my life feels so rich now.) I have been traveling since October, 2011 and have not stayed in one place longer than for months and it has been an forgettable experience. I am so much richer for it. When you set out on a journey by yourself you find out things about yourself along the way. You realize who you are, what you want and don't want and getting to spend time by yourself leads you to know more about yourself than you ever knew before. I now believe that my days as a traveler are coming to an end, as I want to settle some place for awhile to see if that place is a good fit for me. (now that I have the traveling bug in my genes I won't give it up entirely and there are so many places yet unexplored and so many new people to get to know) I now know that I want to have a place to call "my own" and a community of friends and of spirit. A place that warms my body and feeds my soul. A place where I can find nature and walk on the beach. I am creating that in my head and heart so I know that I am headed that way. I don't know how I did it, but I did and it just started with making that decision (setting my intention) and then taking the action steps, just like I did when I made a decision to live in health. I want you to know, that I am no different than you and if I can do what I have done, then so can you. We are the only one that stops us from doing or getting what we want.
I hope and believe that you to have the courage to take your first step, as I did when I made the decision; to change my health and set out on the open road to make those big changes in my life. I had to have courage to say goodbye to my family for the first time. I had to have courage leave my community of friends and spiritual community. I can tell you I cried as I went through old family pictures and as my furnishings and personal belongings went out the front door. I cried as I put my home up for rent, and when it came to leaving the place I had lived for 35 years. All I had to do was take that "first step" and did it. (I walked to the edge of the cliff and faced my fears and took the leap hoping that my parachute would open and it did).
So Now, it is time for me to embark on another journey , with my heart wide open, as I believe that I have discovered my life’s purpose (my passion and desire). My purpose has been to create this website, "Her Story in Shift". I have a vision of this becoming a global community. A global community that can create shift/change for you, for each other, and for the planet. I believe that together we can be change makers. If we share our stories and desires we become teachers, and students and grow together to change the world as we know it. All you have to do is take the first step. I am here waiting for you, with open arms. Will you join me in being a part of the shift?
My Contact Information:
Mari Prator
cell: 503-568-3644
Skype: Mari Sue Healer
email: herstoryinshift@gmail.com