When life hands you lemons

When we are in the middle of a life crisis, it is difficult to see how our experience could be of any benefit at all. Often times we are so immersed in the pain of a traumatic life event that we can’t see past it.

But think back for a minute about some of your past experiences that you not only lived through, but indeed you even learned something in the process. Looking back at it now, it’s easy to see how that experience has shaped you in some way, and most likely in a way that has made you stronger, wiser and perhaps even more compassionate.

Photo: Contributed

When life hands us lemons, we make lemonade.

In my own life I had no idea that my greatest life obstacle would actually be the catalyst for the greatest growth and joy in my life.

Having first hand experience of a chronic illness that both the allopathic and alternative medical system could not adequately treat lit a fire within me to forge my own path and find a way to recover. My life was on the line and I was not going to accept a life of pain and limitation as normal. In fact, the pain and suffering I was experiencing led me to discovering how chemical injury can cause disorganized circuits in the brain that contribute to many chronic and mysterious illnesses.

My personal experience with illness coupled with my past skill set as a counsellor, teacher, group facilitator, speaker and writer came together in a unique way. This allowed me to effectively communicate my personal experience and how I recovered with other people. Little did I know that the biggest challenge in my life would ultimately lead me to my highest calling – to teach others how to recover as well.

On a daily basis I am in the blessed position of being witness to what others would classify as “medical miracles.”

My mission now is to get this message of recovery to as many people as possible. To that end I have dedicated my life to this and have been travelling internationally since 2008 to help people recover from chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and electric hypersensitivity syndrome. And to reach a global audience, we have also developed a 14 hour instructional DVD series that is available for worldwide distribution and is currently being translated into four other languages.

And in fact, next week I will be in Zurich, Switzerland to teach a program the Swiss government is supporting. Five years ago I could not have imagined any of this was possible. The only thing that mattered to me five years ago was my own survival. However I did make a promise at the time that when I recovered I would do my best to help others recover as well. The unfolding of this dream is manifesting in ways much bigger than I could ever imagine.

We may not understand why certain events happen in our lives and often we cannot fathom how we will get over the obstacles that are presented to us. However, it is really up to each one of us to learn as much as we can through our life challenges. This can be a difficult perspective to take in times of crisis and one that can be hard to maintain.

If you would like to take charge of your health and reclaim your own life, please join us closer to home in Victoria, BC on June 22 - 24. Seating is limited. Please e-mail [email protected] to start your registration process.

Annie Hopper is a Limbic System Rehabilitation Specialist and can be reached at www.dnrsystem.com

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.