Jan 08 2008
Healing With A Good Fire
It’s cold and rainy outside and I am nestled on the couch with my cat, Gracie, in front of a good fire. The rest of my family has gone out to the movies. I am recovering from a 24-hour bug that has left me with little energy for anything but fighting pathogens. So I have surrendered. I am letting myself rest, and doze on and off, until my energy returns.
Healing is such an interesting process. For one thing, when I am feverish, I can feel parts of my body I am rarely aware of otherwise. Granted, the reason I can feel them is because they are aching. But still I find it fascinating, as long as it doesn’t last too long!
And, I love a good fire. I got this from my mother. She regularly enjoys a fire in the evenings when it is cold outside. A toasty fire takes the right ingredients - seasoned wood, a nice draft, effective fire starters. Then, once all the right ingredients are together and ignited, it takes tending.
I have been tending this fire all evening. I haven’t messed with it too much. But I also haven’t let it go out prematurely. There’s a fine balance to be kept here. Right now it is a beautiful and mature fire with a bed of rich glowing coals. The logs are about half gone. The room feels cozy from the ambience of the fire. I’m mesmerized and relaxed.
You can’t rush a good fire like this one. You have to let it run it’s course, feeding it as it needs more fuel, pushing it around when it needs space, and blowing on the coals when it needs more draft.
The healing process is much the same way, yet we often forget that. Instead we try to continue working. We ignore the illness or take something to suppress the symptoms so we don’t have to slow down. But this always feels quite counter-productive to me. When I do this, I take longer to heal. My energy level takes longer to return to normal. And I tend to get sick more often if I don’t fully recover.
Across the years I’ve listened to my body and learned what ingredients create the most effective healing for me. When I start to feel sick, I seek them out. Sometimes it is just rest and quiet. Sometimes it’s Chinese medicine, homeopathy or bodywork. Sometimes it is western allopathic medicine. (Nothing like a good antibiotic when I am in the middle of teaching a class and a bladder infection hits.)
So, what do I need for this bug? Well, my acupuncturist husband has been periodically feeding me Chinese herbs to assist my body’s ability to fight whatever bug got into my digestive system. I drink lots of water to stay hydrated. My son puts healing energy into my system by giving me a neck and should massage. I sleep.
And I watch the fire. Stirring it when it needs it and letting it do what it does best – crackle away in an orange glow of warmth and woodsy aroma. And I let my body do what it does best – recover when I give it the right ingredients, tend it with care and let the healing process run its natural course.
Do you know what ingredients help you heal best? Do you give them to yourself and surrender to the healing process? What healthy resources do you turn to? I’d love to hear from you.
Suzanne
Taking a quick moment to stream-of-consciousness reply to your thoughtful post, because you said you’d love to hear from us!
First off, blessings on your health! If you’re open to distance work, just give your permission.
I too love a good fire - although I’ve not tried one for illness. I used to sit and watch the flames through the door of our woodburning stove while growing up. For me it’s more about transmutation of those things we need to change, going up in smoke, light and heat. Suppose that would work for illness too, come to think of it.
I try to stay healthy with preventive measures (adequate rest, hand sanitizer (thyme oil in aloe spray!), supplements, self-care work), but it isn’t always possible, divinity knows. Then it’s time to break out the medicinal teas, a good book, and the warm fuzzy blankets - and call in sick.
Blessings,
Joel in MN
P.S. Blockade by New Chapter is a great new Elderberry product against viruses. No, I don’t own stock in them either.
[reply to this comment]
Suzanne Scurlock-Durana reply on February 21, 2008:
Hi Joel,
Thanks for the good advice. I’ll take it into consideration next time I am sick! You must sit in front of a fire more than I do in Minnesota!
Warmest regards,
Suzanne
It’s wonderful that you recognize what you need to heal. I feel much the same way that sometimes one’s body gets “tired” and needs to step back from everything including one’s routine. Listening to what your hearing from inside of yourself. We can be pretty abusive to our bodies while tending to others needs. Recognizing when to “hibernate” and let one’s self heal is important. It’s an opportunity to recharge one’s self.
[reply to this comment]
Suzanne Scurlock-Durana reply on February 21, 2008:
Hi Debbie,
I agree. The busier I get, the more I appreciate those times when I can slow down and rest and be still. Stay tuned!
Warmest regards,
Suzanne
hello,i am from China.i am studying aromatherapy,very intereing with the massage you mentioned here. that is also a healing process,is it/
Wanna be your friend,Wana translate your article to my reader.do you agree with me?
[reply to this comment]
Suzanne Scurlock-Durana reply on February 21, 2008:
Hi Steven,
Would be happy to have it translated for your readers. Give it a try!
Warmest regards,
Suzanne
In reading this, I am feeling a great sense of calm… Although I am not feeling illl, I do have a minor surgery scheduled in 2 weeks. I am going to adopt this method of relaxing and healing, during my down time.
[reply to this comment]
Suzanne Scurlock-Durana reply on February 21, 2008:
Hope your surgery went well Lakisa and that you are healing in front of a good fire.
Warmest regards,
Suzanne
It’s funny, the fire analogy is wonderful, there is nothing more soul satisfying than shelter, a fire, in my case a dog and peace. When I get ill I try to visualize a giant tea bag that I pull down my body. The filter collects the unwanted and damaging bits and takes them out. I respectfully ask the earth to take this and use it as she needs!!!
I also visit Carlos . I try really hard to hear this as a message to stop pushing against what is.
Thanks for sharing Suzanne, hope you feel well soon
Natalie
[reply to this comment]
Suzanne Scurlock-Durana reply on February 21, 2008:
Thanks Natalie - I’ll see you soon, I am sure.
Warmest regards,
Suzanne
Aloha Suzanne,
It never ceases to amaze me as to how you are so intune with your body. In all the classes I have taken from you, and have worked with you, I still forget to check in with myself and how I am feeling and what I need to do to help my own body. Thank you for reminding me. I just got over that bug and I just had to give it time. But I have to admit, I wasn’t the most patient. Thank you for reminding me to listen to my own energy.
Marilyn
[reply to this comment]
Suzanne Scurlock-Durana reply on February 21, 2008:
Hi Marilyn,
Taking the time is a gift to ourselves, eh?
Warmest regards,
Suzanne