My letter to Diane about how I, an infp introvert, healed myself.... may this speed you on your way to healing and to finding what works for you!
Hi Diane,
You had asked me what changes I made to heal. There were a whole series, one supporting the other and in more or less this order.
I got a divorce, ending a negative situation that was bleeding me dry on all levels. This was back in 1975. The rest is between then and now.
I did all the cosmetic tihings, lost weight, got a hot new wardrobe, began to read some self help books and noticed that the people who seemed to be really "alive" who had that "certain something" all believed in a higher power. Hmmmmmmmm. I tried to hang out with these people as much as they would let me. I was actually a pretty empty person at that time, though nice, polite, etc.
I found work that I loved and people I wanted to be around. I was with a successful, positive, health oriented group of individuals for the next 12 years. I found people who treated me very well, consistently. I was having so much fun, I went overboard and one day I came home, the room was spinning. My daughter developed a nervous habit at that time. I knew it was time to look deeper.
I eliminated all nonessential activities and took a look at what really mattered in my life and how I was spending my time. This was hard for me because there are so many things I love to do but I had to strip down and prioritize, particularly as the single head of household. Someone gave me a copy of Ernest Holmes' Science of Mind at this time. I read it through slowly, twice.
Then I eliminated negative people from my life who were sucks. I got away from people who smoked and drank. I investigated every kind of alternative healing you can imagine. I've done them all! It was well worth the investment of time and energy.
I eliminated white sugar and quit smoking. That took awhile to adjust to :-) so I added some exercise and found sports I loved over the years which varied. I made that a new priority. I got away from people who ate recreationally or as a sedative.
I removed elements of Type A from my personality and quit hanging around with Type As. I quit giving that kind of orientation any validation in my own mind.
I went all the way out to lacto ovo vegetarian and back again finding out what my body liked and responded well to. I did this again by stripping down to the essentials in food and then adding things back again as I observed the results in my own body and how it felt with each new food. I would start with a juice fast, then tea, then reintroduce foods. It was fun. During this period I permanently eliminated cheese (molds) and also it was the acidity in canned tomatoes that most caused the eczema to act up. That just came to me intuitively as I held Cayce's papers. That led to a lot less spaghetti around my house (!)
I became a more committed positive thinker and spent more time with gentle, simple people -- all different sorts. I learned to meditate, or rather that I had always meditated and how to appreciate it and use it more in my daily life. Continued with all types of alternative healing and personal growth groups as time and money permitted.
I began getting therapeutic massage regularly and went to other bodyworkers. I discovered vitamins and supplements and experimented with results, mostly doing this intuitively. I feel a big part of my healing at this time was being my own authority and taking responsibility for my own healing. I discovered the staples of my diet at this time: lean hamburger, fresh green vegetables lightly cooked with a little butter, fish prepared the same way, for a snack a few potato chips maybe some unsalted peanuts (need something crunchy, carnivore memories), sometimes oat bran cereal, oatmeal, eggs, occassionally bacon , baked potato, homemade soups of all kinds ... when eating out will get a steak also like beans for protein. I actually had an elaborate test at this time that confirmed I need red meat from time to time. By this time I had totally eliminated all junk food.
Began to read up on nutrition and how the body uses food as fuel. Eliminated all the "sentiments" around eating and began to look at it as proper fuel. Kept socializing that oriented around food to a minimum. Took the emphasis off food and put it into other activities. Tried juicing. Loved it but too time consuming so switched to Juice Plus.
Eliminated more toxic people from my life after giving it a huge try and seeing it for what it was ... me or them!
In spite of all of this, got fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue (just too much responsiblity as single head of household with no financial or emotionional support). Also got agoraphobic (somewhat, I'm not a whiner so I kept it to myself and under control) and had a freak accident (a bullring in Tijuana collapsed with me on the top bleacher) which loosened up memories from childhood. Spent two years getting that dealt with. Due to accident thought I would not lead a normal life again but got 2,3 massages a week and finally restored completely, stronger than ever.
Now very familiar with every part of my part and the stress points. When they act up, I know to make a change. The first is my left knee. Then my neck. Then my stomach. If with a toxic person become completely incapacitated quickly -- head ache, nerves, tension, irritable, jerky, facial tics, generally feel whatever they are feeling in their body, aggressive, stomach cramps, depression, hatred, muscles aches, addictive, empty, etc. pure hell of being an empath, have to get away and clear the energy. Takes about 2 hours now. Used to take a LOT longer (a way of life). Stay away from these people, even as clients.
I have practically no negative stress in my life now. I live with an infp roommate who is peaceable and quiet. I am in right honest relations with every human being I know of. I guard my peace of mind by being kind, honest, aware and intelligent in my dealings with others. I'm an infp healer, after all. I love people. That is where my values are.
I watch my stress level -- I have no choice! Somtimes I regret that I can't do "everytihng" but I figure there was a reason for all of this, that my introversion will turn out to be the best thing. I interact with a very large number of people every day but I am in control of the circusmtances. That makes all the difference. I have found that people want to be with me so much that they will gladly cooperate and so I guess that's the way it can work for an introvert. We are such good listeners and so caring!
I had one backsliding where I even started smoking again because of a series of poor decisions. I discovered how easily it can reverse itself so I am more guarded now than ever though hopefully it doesn't show :-) I think I have a pleasant personality.
Now my routine includes two hours of exercise a day, eating the way I described plus the Wellness which I prefer now. I don't need much sleep. I have found that varying my activities gives me a whole new burst of energy. I avoid negative people and spend at least half my time by myself.
I hope this is helpful. I realize how much of a priority I made my health but it has always been of interest to me, even as a child. That's a whole nothing story. Thanks for asking and good luck with yours!
Oh I guess I should end by saying, I always trust myself, my responses to things, the information I get from my body -- even if everyone else thinks someone is "nice" and I find them toxic, I'm the law in my own land. I know myself, which is the greatest gift of all for the introvert. I never doubt myself anymore. That's very healing.
Nancy
Hi Diane,
You had asked me what changes I made to heal. There were a whole series, one supporting the other and in more or less this order.
I got a divorce, ending a negative situation that was bleeding me dry on all levels. This was back in 1975. The rest is between then and now.
I did all the cosmetic tihings, lost weight, got a hot new wardrobe, began to read some self help books and noticed that the people who seemed to be really "alive" who had that "certain something" all believed in a higher power. Hmmmmmmmm. I tried to hang out with these people as much as they would let me. I was actually a pretty empty person at that time, though nice, polite, etc.
I found work that I loved and people I wanted to be around. I was with a successful, positive, health oriented group of individuals for the next 12 years. I found people who treated me very well, consistently. I was having so much fun, I went overboard and one day I came home, the room was spinning. My daughter developed a nervous habit at that time. I knew it was time to look deeper.
I eliminated all nonessential activities and took a look at what really mattered in my life and how I was spending my time. This was hard for me because there are so many things I love to do but I had to strip down and prioritize, particularly as the single head of household. Someone gave me a copy of Ernest Holmes' Science of Mind at this time. I read it through slowly, twice.
Then I eliminated negative people from my life who were sucks. I got away from people who smoked and drank. I investigated every kind of alternative healing you can imagine. I've done them all! It was well worth the investment of time and energy.
I eliminated white sugar and quit smoking. That took awhile to adjust to :-) so I added some exercise and found sports I loved over the years which varied. I made that a new priority. I got away from people who ate recreationally or as a sedative.
I removed elements of Type A from my personality and quit hanging around with Type As. I quit giving that kind of orientation any validation in my own mind.
I went all the way out to lacto ovo vegetarian and back again finding out what my body liked and responded well to. I did this again by stripping down to the essentials in food and then adding things back again as I observed the results in my own body and how it felt with each new food. I would start with a juice fast, then tea, then reintroduce foods. It was fun. During this period I permanently eliminated cheese (molds) and also it was the acidity in canned tomatoes that most caused the eczema to act up. That just came to me intuitively as I held Cayce's papers. That led to a lot less spaghetti around my house (!)
I became a more committed positive thinker and spent more time with gentle, simple people -- all different sorts. I learned to meditate, or rather that I had always meditated and how to appreciate it and use it more in my daily life. Continued with all types of alternative healing and personal growth groups as time and money permitted.
I began getting therapeutic massage regularly and went to other bodyworkers. I discovered vitamins and supplements and experimented with results, mostly doing this intuitively. I feel a big part of my healing at this time was being my own authority and taking responsibility for my own healing. I discovered the staples of my diet at this time: lean hamburger, fresh green vegetables lightly cooked with a little butter, fish prepared the same way, for a snack a few potato chips maybe some unsalted peanuts (need something crunchy, carnivore memories), sometimes oat bran cereal, oatmeal, eggs, occassionally bacon , baked potato, homemade soups of all kinds ... when eating out will get a steak also like beans for protein. I actually had an elaborate test at this time that confirmed I need red meat from time to time. By this time I had totally eliminated all junk food.
Began to read up on nutrition and how the body uses food as fuel. Eliminated all the "sentiments" around eating and began to look at it as proper fuel. Kept socializing that oriented around food to a minimum. Took the emphasis off food and put it into other activities. Tried juicing. Loved it but too time consuming so switched to Juice Plus.
Eliminated more toxic people from my life after giving it a huge try and seeing it for what it was ... me or them!
In spite of all of this, got fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue (just too much responsiblity as single head of household with no financial or emotionional support). Also got agoraphobic (somewhat, I'm not a whiner so I kept it to myself and under control) and had a freak accident (a bullring in Tijuana collapsed with me on the top bleacher) which loosened up memories from childhood. Spent two years getting that dealt with. Due to accident thought I would not lead a normal life again but got 2,3 massages a week and finally restored completely, stronger than ever.
Now very familiar with every part of my part and the stress points. When they act up, I know to make a change. The first is my left knee. Then my neck. Then my stomach. If with a toxic person become completely incapacitated quickly -- head ache, nerves, tension, irritable, jerky, facial tics, generally feel whatever they are feeling in their body, aggressive, stomach cramps, depression, hatred, muscles aches, addictive, empty, etc. pure hell of being an empath, have to get away and clear the energy. Takes about 2 hours now. Used to take a LOT longer (a way of life). Stay away from these people, even as clients.
I have practically no negative stress in my life now. I live with an infp roommate who is peaceable and quiet. I am in right honest relations with every human being I know of. I guard my peace of mind by being kind, honest, aware and intelligent in my dealings with others. I'm an infp healer, after all. I love people. That is where my values are.
I watch my stress level -- I have no choice! Somtimes I regret that I can't do "everytihng" but I figure there was a reason for all of this, that my introversion will turn out to be the best thing. I interact with a very large number of people every day but I am in control of the circusmtances. That makes all the difference. I have found that people want to be with me so much that they will gladly cooperate and so I guess that's the way it can work for an introvert. We are such good listeners and so caring!
I had one backsliding where I even started smoking again because of a series of poor decisions. I discovered how easily it can reverse itself so I am more guarded now than ever though hopefully it doesn't show :-) I think I have a pleasant personality.
Now my routine includes two hours of exercise a day, eating the way I described plus the Wellness which I prefer now. I don't need much sleep. I have found that varying my activities gives me a whole new burst of energy. I avoid negative people and spend at least half my time by myself.
I hope this is helpful. I realize how much of a priority I made my health but it has always been of interest to me, even as a child. That's a whole nothing story. Thanks for asking and good luck with yours!
Oh I guess I should end by saying, I always trust myself, my responses to things, the information I get from my body -- even if everyone else thinks someone is "nice" and I find them toxic, I'm the law in my own land. I know myself, which is the greatest gift of all for the introvert. I never doubt myself anymore. That's very healing.
Nancy
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