Bach to the Rescue

Today I have been inspired to share a holistic tool that may be something to consider for your own personal use and or sharing with friends and family. Some of you may have already heard of these remedies and for others who have found their way to this blog, this may be something entirely new to your eyes and ears.

If you happen to still be breathing, you will probably be able to relate to having had or are experiencing some distress in your life. Stress is a major factor that will most certainly contribute to some form of dis-ease within the body, mind and spirit, and subsequently diminish ones quality of life. Over the years more and more information is becoming available of the complimentary/holistic/natural methods for us to consider adding as a tool for our own personal health investment. Health is our true wealth as many of us can attest to when we find ourselves down for the count.

Every day we are subjected to thousands of distractions, stressors, and pollutants. These myriad influences can wear down our natural defenses and cause frustration, tension, and even physical illness. The 38 Bach Flower Remedies are a safe and natural solution to the challenges of life in the 21st century. The remedies purify and balance the internal energy system, which in turn heals existing health problems—and can even help prevent future problems from manifesting!

There are a wide assortment of tools now ready for us to use, but today I'm going to concentrate on, "The 38 Bach Flower Essences," that were discovered by Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936). Dr. Bach was a physician well ahead of his time. In his short career he moved from orthodox medicine into developing a natural form of medicine to treat emotional and spiritual health, very much in tune with the trends in natural health today.

Dr. Bach's Philosophy was at once simple and profound, based on the innate perfection and spiritual nature of human beings. He stated that health and happiness result from being in harmony with our own nature, and doing the work for which we are individually suited.

Dr. Bach discovered 38 essences, each for a specific emotional and mental state, plus a combination of five the essences designed for difficult and demanding situations, which he called Rescue Remedy.

Dr. Bach divided the 38 essences into seven groups, representing fundamental conflicts, which prevent us from being true to ourselves:

Fear
Uncertainty
Insufficient interest in present circumstances
Loneliness
Over-sensitivity to influences and ideas
Despondency or despair
Over-care for the welfare of others

Within each group, the essences each cover a specific nature of the difficulty concerned. For example, fear may take the form of terror, (requiring Rock Rose), definable, everyday fear (Mimulus), fear of losing one's mind (Cherry Plum), inexplicable fears (Aspen), or fears for other people (Red Chestnut).

Just as Dr. Bach identified the seven areas of conflict which interfere with our health, so he defined the stages in the healing of disease...Peace, Hope, Joy, Faith, Certainty, Wisdom, Love.

The flower essences like other forms of natural medicine, take effect by treating the individual, not the disease or the symptoms of the disease. They work specifically on the emotional condition of the person concerned. Thus two people with the same complaint, e.g., arthritis, may benefit from quite different essences. One may be resigned to the illness, while the other may be impatient with it, so different essences will be appropriate in each case.

The effect of taking the essences is not to suppress negative attitudes but to transform them into positive ones, stimulating one's own potential for self-healing and freeing the physical system to engage fully in fighting disease and stress.

People do not have to be physically ill to benefit from the essences. Many of us go through times of difficulty and fatigue when negativity creeps in; at these times the essences are invaluable in restoring the balance before physical symptoms appear.

Rescue Remedy was created by Dr. Bach for emergencies experienced and contains a combination of five of the flower essences: Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose and Clematis. It is worth carrying a small bottle with you. It is to be used when you receive sudden bad news, a family upset or bereavement; if you are fearful, confused, or even in terror. Rescue Remedy will help you face the situation in a better frame of mind.

It can also be taken before a stressful event; for example, while waiting for important news; prior to taking an exam or a driving test; before a difficult meeting or interview; before on stage or giving a speech; before going to the dentist or into the hospital. Rescue Remedy will help to reduce your fear and nervousness. It is an excellent remedy whenever you feel uptight or unduly bothered, and can usually restore balance.

After an accident, an immediate dose of Rescue Remedy can contribute greatly to counteracting its effects and helping the natural healing process to take its course. If there has been an accident at home, out of doors or on the road, those involved may be experiencing confusion. While waiting for medical help Rescue Remedy can be used to relieve the fear of both victim and onlookers and provide comfort and reassurance.

The essences are not used directly for physical complaints, but for the sufferer's worry, apprehension, hopelessness, irritability etc., because these states of mind or moods can only hinder recovery of health and are believed to contribute to sickness and disease.

To learn more about the Bach Flower Essences, just click on this web site. You can normally find these essences available at many local health food stores, or on line, and there are many books written on the Bach Flower Essences available.

For all the first responders (police officers, fire fighters, medical professionals) who are witness to scenes of death and destruction, a gift to them of Rescue Remedy might be very beneficial.

Note: Like all the flower essences, Rescue Remedy is not intended to replace medical treatment but is an invaluable support while waiting for medical help in an emergency. It is natural, entirely safe and gentle, is not habit forming and will not interfere with any other medical treatment.

The 38 Bach Flower Essences include:

Agrimony - mental torture behind a cheerful face

Aspen - fear of unknown things

Beech - intolerance

Centaury - the inability to say 'no'

Cerato - lack of trust in one's own decisions

Cherry Plum - fear of the mind giving way

Chestnut Bud - failure to learn from mistakes

Chicory - selfish, possessive love

Clematis - dreaming of the future without working in the present

Crab Apple - the cleansing remedy, also for self-hatred

Elm - overwhelmed by responsibility

Gentian - discouragement after a setback

Gorse - hopelessness and despair

Heather - self-centredness and self-concern

Holly - hatred, envy and jealousy

Honeysuckle - living in the past

Hornbeam - procrastination, tiredness at the thought of doing something

Impatiens - impatience

Larch - lack of confidence

Mimulus - fear of known things

Mustard - deep gloom for no reason

Oak - the plodder who keeps going past the point of exhaustion

Olive - exhaustion following mental or physical effort

Pine - guilt

Red Chestnut - over-concern for the welfare of loved ones

Rock Rose - terror and fright

Rock Water - self-denial, rigidity and self-repression

Scleranthus - inability to choose between alternatives

Star of Bethlehem - shock

Sweet Chestnut - Extreme mental anguish, when everything has been tried and there is no light left

Vervain - over-enthusiasm

Vine - dominance and inflexibility

Walnut - protection from change and unwanted influences

Water Violet - pride and aloofness

White Chestnut - unwanted thoughts and mental arguments

Wild Oat - uncertainty over one's direction in life

Wild Rose - drifting, resignation, apathy

Willow - self-pity and resentment

Jesus---Bring the Rain from Mercy Me

"Jesus -- Bring the Rain" .... God's got me covered under the umbrella of his love. (Seattle is getting drenched today, Claudine the song is working!)

Note from Claudine today

Aunt Kristie,

I couldn't help but write another note for the blog based on your last note.
Based on something you said about not living life with fear.
I had to share two additional songs that are often my life line when need encouragement in knowing whatever lies ahead God will never leave my side.

Living a life without fear was a hard concept for me to grasp initially.
I would say 2 years later I really understand what this means. I can tell you fear kept me captured for a long time in a life I should not have been part of and God knew this. Once behind me, I feel like myself and the person God intended me to be.

Here is a song, "Jesus --Bring the Rain" from Mercy Me that still is so important to me. My favorite verse:

"I draw closer through this time. So I pray, bring me joy, bring me peace, bring me the chance to be free, bring me anything that brings you Glory. I know there will be days that this life brings me pain...but if that is what it takes to praise you, Jesus bring the rain!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIFOPWHjA6c

Flourishing under His word, I can honestly say this medical emergency seemed not that difficult of a road, knowing I have HIM on my side. Now living a life without fear, and being able to work through the fear and not let it make your decisions for me-- is so freeing.

Like the Third Day song says below, I am glad to be standing on the mountain of God and nothing compares to what is in front of me--I truly believe that!
His awesomeness lets one release that fear and live life knowing you are under His arms of protection.

Thank you for the note Aunt Kristie...I think I am going to print a picture of Mr. Peanut for my desk--it brought me laughter and tears to my eyes that although my journey is not over, I have come so far under the care of His watchful eyes.

And, I know that he carries me and carries each of my tears in his protective hands.

Thanks to you and everyone for sharing in this journey with me.
Love to you all.

Here are my favorite verses from Mountain from Third Day:

"even if the journey is long and I know the road is hard, but the one who has gone before me will carry me.

and after all I've been through, I must go through the valley to stand upon the mountain of God.

Yes, I must go through the valley, to stand upon the mountain!!!!

...nothing compares to what is in front of me!


(Both are the same song, but I love the video--but the one with words is so great to hear and see them.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgeMHHbFslk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz-cRVvGe88


Here is another favorite from Casting Crowns:

I say Amen that it's still raining. As the thunder rolls, I barely hear your whisper, "I am with you."

I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands

every tear I cry you hold in your hand, and NEVER left my side.

My help comes from the LORD the maker of the heaven and earth.

I will praise you in this storm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw

From Pirate to Mr. Peanut :-)

Chatter from the peanut gallery........
Tonight a new posting (see below) for the blog came in from Claudine. It is quite amazing to read the heart felt words that arrived in my email, and then to reflect back just a couple of months to where her soul has all traveled and the many miles of greater perception she has acquired. Often times when our outer senses are closed off temporarily, we are then given the opportunity to do a life review, and begin to tap into the wealth of our inner treasures that have laid dormant and waiting for that precise moment in time when one's spirit begins in earnest the beautiful unfolding of their soul expression.

I was wondering what picture I would include with this writing when suddenly an image of one of the peanut gang showed up. This is perhaps one of my favorites as the monocle man sports an hourglass figure! For this blog it is probably appropriate as we have witnessed Claudine's transformation take form in, "One Day in Time." It has been said that time is an illusion, and because of holding on to this belief of "time," fear has been generated into the hearts and minds of humanity. When we are able to transcend fear, every day miracles seem to occur. When we open the door to the sacred heart, we step out of time/fear into love/gratitude and remembrance of, "Being in this world but not of it." Gratitude for all the blessings brought to us and acknowledged even before their showing up in our material world, is our faith in knowing we are worthy and deserving of HIS blessings.

Claudine may your return to KC be joined by the monocle man who will tap dance with you, and twirl your days in time with a clearer vision assisted by the magic of the top hat (higher awareness) and clear vision lens.

The history of the success of Plantar's Peanuts and Mr. Peanut has some relevance to your story and perhaps more of what you bring to "KC". Your eye patch will be replaced with a new prism and the pirate will have uncovered her own deeply buried treasures to share with the world.

(Amedeo Obici (Ah-may-day-o O-bee-chee), founder of Planters, was born in 1876 in the small town of Oderzo near Venice, Italy. When Obici was old enough to read, his widowed mother would show him his uncle's glowing letters from America. Thus began Obici's dream.

At age eleven, reality had him pulling up at Bush Terminal in Brooklyn, New York. An Italian immigrant, 11 years old, not knowing any English, but going on to become prosperous business innovator. His willingness to work showed even at this early age. He started his career as a bellhop and fruitstand vendor in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Later, Obici moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and opened his own fruit stand and invested in a peanut roaster. Here he linked his life's fortune with the peanut. In a few years, Obici turned peddler, using a horse and wagon, and called himself "The Peanut Specialist". In 1906, Obici went into partnership with Mario Peruzzi. He had developed his own method of blanching whole roasted peanuts, doing away with the troublesome hulls and skins; and so with six employees two large roasters, and crude machinery, Planters was founded. Amedeo Obici realized that prices and first profits were not nearly so important as repeat business. He proved his operation based on quality and brand name were important for continued success. Two years later, the firm was incorporated as Planters Nut and Chocolate Company.

Mr. Peanut, Planters mascot is such a nut, everybody's just crazy about him! Since his introduction in 1916, to help advertise the sales of the country's first roasted peanut company, Mr. Peanut has become one of the nation's best-known advertising characters. Based on the original drawing of a 13-year-old boy, the ever-dapper Mr. Peanut eventually added a top hat, white spats, ebony cane, and monacle to his unique ensemble.)

God Bless you and like sands through the hourglass........these are the days of our lives!

I'm out of time!!! :-)

Love Auntie

Now here's Claudine................

The New Year has come in true Wisconsin fashion...with bitter cold and ice...but with a blessing that only God our healer could ordain.

My eye is still only 3/4 open, but remains open all the time now. It is strong enough to stay open all day!

One week ago is when I visited the ophthalmologist, at that point it was more comfortable being shut and had to be "forced" open.

Less than one week later, it stays open just like the other eye. So, this leads me to my new look..."Pirate Claudine of Wisconsin."

Yes, vanity aside, I am wearing a black patch so I can leave the eye open...but actually be able to see and focus. The double vision really is a challenge as it makes me dizzy and not able to see well at all. But, I feel so blessed by the progress of the eye in such a short time. I know the healing and continued progress will come.

I found myself in Philippians again tonight.

Philippians 4:6-7. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

I was here again for several reason. The first obviously, being my eye. And, praying for it's continued progress and limited days as a "pirate". :) But, I am returning to work next week Monday. And, I am excited to go back. But, the reality of life again has sunk in and the demands of single working mom. I am raising them all up to God tonight because today I was not a very patient, loving mom. And, when this all began I said my first priority was to lead Anna and William to the Lord by example. Today I failed miserably. I am raising not only up my eye, and continuing to allow me to balance all life's demands with patience and wisdom.

But, then I turned to Thanksgiving. I began praying for all I am thankful for and all He has done. Ahhhhhh, peace fell in my heart again. It is an amazing feeling when you KNOW God is working on peace for heart and guarding your heart from all your worries.

Throughout the past year, I have realized that God is amazing at changing your heart, so you are ready for when he brings on change so His plan can be done. So, in celebration of the New Year, I thought I'd share the:

"Top 5 Things I Have Said that God Changed my Heart on during 2008"

5. " I never want to go back to work."

God, allowed my children to turn 3 -- enough said. I am ready and will be at work on Monday a.m. ready to go! And, he gave me a job that I truly enjoy and feel so fortunate to go back too!

4. "If I do have to move, I don't think I'd like to live back home."

Well, I now have an Appleton address and zip code. And, I actually like it here. And, wouldn't have it any other way now :)

3. "If I do ever have to go back to work, I'd rather not work at KC since both my dad and brother work there."

Well, I love my job, I think KC is a fabulous company, and I have found being there could be worse things than being a "Weiland" at KC. My Dad is highly regarded and everyone seems to know him. And, well my brother, he is on the rise and his reputation isn't so shabby either.

2. "I can't imagine ever needing time away from Anna and William."

See point 10. Enough said again :)

1. "God you are giving me more than I can handle."

God has provided everything I need for every situation. I want to share this quick story with you. During Christmas my cousin's wife and I were talking. And, she said, "Claudine from an outsiders perspective it seems that whatever you need is provided to you just days after you need it." This is God working!!!! He answers all my prayers and all my needs ARE being met. And, I see the miracle he is performing. Five separate occasions come to my mind, in particular.

I shared with many of you how in April I fell to my knees and prayed for a job. Three days later I was offered the job at KC.

In September I prayed the West Bend house would sell before the snow so I didn't have to pay heat and snow blowing bill on a house no one lived in. It sold 5 days later.

I prayed in October with my women's group, that my divorce become final and the attorney bills end. The divorce was final by the end of the month.

In October after all my surgeries and being home for only one day, I cried in my pillow that Jesus let me start healing and let me return to my life as a mom. I went off all my pain meds and nausea medications the next day. I was driving and taking care of Anna and William one week later.

I began praying for Him to relieve my fear of being a working, single mom with one eye. My eye opened right before Christmas and stayed open around New Year's.

With this being my last week at home and returning to work next week, I think the blog entries will slow. But, I will definitely be back as God continues to work his healing hand with my eye. I have several doctor appointments at end of January and February that I am sure God will continue to show his true awesomeness and why we should give Him all the glory!

Thanks to all of you for your continued love, support and prayers.
2009 is going to be another year of blessings and a year of continued peace if I continue to place my trust in Him.

I wish you all the same for 2009!

Love, Claudine




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