So on Monday I started a 21 day detox. I was excited to start. Though I am a healthy eater and I work out regularly, I was having frequent migraines and overall just not feeling well. I did muscle response testing and discovered that my thyroid, liver, gallbladder and adrenals are not were they should be. It’s not surprising. Considering the years of abuse to my body through stress and the added abuse of drugs and alcohol. I’ve done other cleanses, just not this thorough. I thought, piece of cake, I can do this in my sleep.

Then Monday came and by the end of the day I had a horrible headache. Apparently, my one cup of coffee per day habit had become an addiction and my body was responding to the absence of caffeine. I hadn’t done a cleanse in 2 years so I had 2 years of coffee drinking under my belt. By day 2 I felt horrible. Sick all over and very tired. It wasn’t just the physical, it was the emotional as well. I felt depressed. My brain focused on obstacles, problems, and hurt. It was incredible to see how interrelated the body and emotions truly are.

On day 2 my doctor friend said I could drink green tea if I needed the support in coming off the caffeine. I decided not to. The idea of drinking caffeine actually didn’t sound good. Besides, I figured if I could quit a 3 1/2 year meth addiction cold turkey then caffeine should be easy. It’s really not. Caffeine is a drug and for 2 years I drank it in the morning on an empty stomach as I read the Bible. I felt justified because it was only one cup. Yet, coming off of it shows me that it had an effect on my mind and body.

So here I am on day 3. I was able to hike this morning and pray in nature. That really helped tremendously. My brain is starting to unfog. Though, I left lentils boiling on the stove while working and nearly burned the house down. Seriously, there was smoke all over and I had to open every window and door to air it out.

Yet, I’m learning so much about the mind and body connection. I teach it in Grief Recovery. How unresolved grief can make us sick. What I’m discovering is that though I have focused on emotional healing, I need to take care of my body as well. It’s kind of like clean up for all the things I’ve been through and put myself through over my life. I can also see that unattended physical ailments can affect how we feel emotionally. I’ve always been good about eating healthy and drinking lots of water. I cannot imagine how damaged I’d be if I hadn’t done at least that part.

And the truth is, I want to enjoy this time in my life. I believe for the first time I’m present in my life and I want to savor it all. That’s not possible if I’m getting a migraine once per week. I also won’t be able to catch up with all the goals I’ve set if I’m sick. My personality is to push through and I guess I pushed so much that my body said STOP. So I’m stopping. I’m slowing down and getting healthy so I can enjoy the best time ever and get more connected with my Father. He’s the best reason of all.