Featuring Eileen Bild
Sometimes our mind overrides our inner compass and we fail to see what is right there.
I suffer from a debilitating condition known as fibromyalgia. The chronic symptoms eventually forced me to rock bottom, robbing me of my energy and zest for life.
Being close to the ocean has always been cathartic for me, and this time, I was there for contemplation and comfort. The salt air surrounding my body was healing my tears as I strolled through the neighborhood, feeling a deep desire for change and a need to rehabilitate my mind, body, and spirit.
My sister walked beside me. She was a source of warmth as she tried to console my anguish. But I was overwhelmed with tears—frustrated, angry, and exasperated. But even as my hopelessness seemed unbearable, it was engaging my will to find a solution.
Each morning, I found ways to drag myself out of bed, function throughout my day, and then do it all again. For more than seven years, I had forced myself to be there for my family as best I could.
I might have looked normal from the outside, but inside, I felt like a train wreck that would be impossible to repair.
On my last night at the beach, I was worn out, emotionally and physically. With barely enough energy to take a bite of food—in excruciating pain, and with my brain fog at its peak—I surrendered. I had worked so hard to get answers from doctors and treatment for the symptoms. But my search for healing had been fruitless. The fight was over now. I felt I had only one option: to stop trying to make it stop.
Then, from deep within, a powerful force beyond my control came spiraling up. My fists pumped toward the sky as I shouted, “Take me or heal me! I am not doing this anymore!”
A significant shift rocked my world.
That declaration marked the start of my road to recovery. After returning home, magic started happening. It seemed that people and serendipitous experiences were mysteriously shifting into place.
The synchronicities were mind-boggling. I began to reunite with old friends who became instrumental in my healing. An introduction to new ways of thinking and being suddenly emerged in my life, seemingly out of nowhere. Both my sense of who I was, and my life purpose came into focus. Now I could see where I had been weak and naïve. My head was reeling with all the information coming at me faster than I could absorb it.
What was going on?
Since my childhood, people have opened up to me about their lives, without my invitation. They will tell me, “I have never said this to anyone, but….” and continue to purge whatever was on their mind.
When my healing began to make a difference in how I was feeling, and my ability to lead a more normal life started to take shape, I felt a pull to do something of importance; something that would have a positive impact on others.
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Editor’s Note: This excerpt is from just one of many Sacred Stories of our time. Powerful voices from around the globe that speak to our shared human experience. May they inspire you and give you great hope. Order your personal copy of CHAOS TO CLARITY: SACRED STORIES OF TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE today and discover hope for the future and a blueprint for your life ⤵︎