Your physical health and mental wellness has never been as important as it is right now.
Another SHIFT is coming….
This last week has been a whirlwind of emotions. Honestly when things like this happen I usually want to curl up, and just stay in bed for a few days and just sob. For some of you who follow me on social media, you will know that I lost two very close friends of mine in the same day both completely unrelated or from the same family or friend group but nonetheless many people know both of these gentlemen. They were both roommates of mine at different times and they were dear to my life. I always pray for my friends and family and these names are heavy in my prayer journals for it seems like a lifetime.
I know you are probably wondering how they died as those things are usually the top of our interest when you hear someone has passed but I don’t want to get lost in the details of that. Rather I’d like to focus on the parts that although I was tempted to be upset with God that He didn’t answer my prayer for healing and transformation for these folks God used these people in very powerful ways to demonstrate different things about God’s character. I also was brought to another place of humility in my heart again that none of us has that much control. Our prayers mold us and help us learn God’s heart. He corrects us with our prayers and helps us learn His way if we are willing to learn. Every death comes with pros and cons and you have to go through those with God and focus on the good. One of them had suffered for many years with crohns disease and was the inspiration of my health and wellness obsession. I would have done anything I could to make him well and learn the ways of a healer. But with that, God used his illness in so many ways and he sought the Lord with his whole heart. Day and night he studied the Bible and sought God, that man wasn’t able to work a lot of the time because he would get so sick but in his sickness he was there for me so many times. He would show up right when I needed a friend. His illness was the thing that ultimately kept him free from other life draining obligations. Obviously that’s only one way to look at it but focusing on the good is what I’m doing. This may seem unfair but ultimately he is at rest with the Lord now and I know he knows Jesus and is with him. I know I will see him again. I have great peace knowing he found his resting place. The other, it is unclear to me. I didn’t see him much in the time leading up to his death but one of the last times I saw him was at church and this man had everything including family and friends like myself who prayed daily for him. I saw him try to do the good in hard situations and I saw God’s love for him all over his life. I know God is a god of choice and He doesn’t force His love on anyone but I know that He brings comfort for those who seek Him. I shared my faith with him but not sure where he stood in his heart towards God. That’s not my place to say one way or another and with all those prayers for him I just have to believe that God brought him through.
A day later…
When I woke up this morning I got back to editing the Shift Ebook as I couldn’t find many more tears to shed, sometimes work can be a great way to get your focus off painful situations and I have some time before funerals are announced. I’m launching shift now for a January start date and I found it’s so crazy the topic of the book and the current life situations. I wrote it in 2019 before the world shut down and here I am again with it wide open as the topics at hand are right in front of me. It’s funny how God speaks to us all the time through signs and symbols and parables. Are we listening? Like the book says, if you never read the first edition “shifts happen, whether planned or unplanned” how are you going to handle the ones that are out of your control?
Because I always pray for those I get to have contact with, you being one of them, let me pray for you. I never want to miss an opportunity to pray for you as I truly believe in the power of prayer. God is in control but He invites us to take all our issues to Him and He will guide things to the best case scenario’s for those who love Him. Trusting Him might not be easy at first but after a while, you start to see the good in everything and your heart grows thankful that you don’t actually run this crazy world. Remember, we are only here for a second in the grand scheme of things and eternity is a very long time. Nothing here lasts forever.
Dear Lord Jesus,
I pray for my friend if they need comfort, I ask that you would comfort them. I ask that they would feel your presence and be able to make time and space for you in their life. If they haven’t already surrendered to your love and leading I ask you show them how and remind them the time here is short. Oh Lord, grant them the secret wholesome desires of their heart and bless them for seeking you.
We love and thank you Lord for everything you do for us in Jesus name.
Amen!
Post Script Hope:
A note of hope in the last moments of those you love whom you don’t know if they know the Lord!
I found this on Facebook and wanted to add it as it is significant! This is the story of the man that was getting crucified right beside Jesus and asked Jesus to take Him with Him and Jesus responded in that last moment before he passed that He would be with Him in heaven that very day.
“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.””
Luke 23:39-43 NKJV
No baptism
No communion
No confirmation
No speaking in tongues
No mission trip
No volunteering
No financial gifts
No church clothes
He couldn’t even bend his knees to pray. He didn’t say the sinner’s prayer and among other things, he was a criminal and he was worthy of death.
Jesus didn’t take way his pain, heal his body, or smite his scoffers.
He was a thief who walked into paradise the same hour as Jesus simply by believing.
He had nothing more to offer other than his belief that Jesus was who He said He was.
No spin from brilliant theologians.
No ego or arrogance.
No shiny lights, skinny jeans, or crafty words.
No haze machine, donuts, or coffee in the lobby.
Just a naked dying man on a cross unable to even fold his hands to pray.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that WHOEVER believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
– John 3:16
Because ……. THAT IS ENOUGH !!
Credit- unknown
Lot’s to share as the harvest season is wrapping up and I am getting back into some routines and getting ready for SHIFT.
I took the summer off from the gym as I was taking on long hours of blissful physical labour days during the farming season. It was very rewarding but not too much time for focused training. As you know, there is a season for everything and always an opportunity to learn new ways to stay healthy.
If you’re looking for a fun little photo opt for harvest season, I really enjoyed Bloom Festival. Sunflowers are just so beautiful and I just love how they follow their face to the light. It’s so symbolic.
They just extended their season to Oct 14th.
Check it out- GET TICKETS
I’ve learned that we are always in some sort of preparation or recovery and sometimes when we are lucky in a season of maintenance. Unfortunately/fortunately life doesn’t usually stay the same for too long and there are always changes in circumstances in health, obligations and goals.
Now that I am in my 40’s I still want to look good but my focus has been more for long term health and sustainability. I know that I have preached a lot about health and the food situation over the last 20 plus years but I think it’s even more important now than ever with all the attacks on our health. We need to talk about where to get our food and not just what we eat but how it is processed and created. I’ve had a pretty incredible opportunity to learn more about our food and how it’s being produced from right inside the industry. If we want to truly see change we have to be the change and we have to take actions that will support the right things and cancel the parts that are making us sick and tired. There are answers and an abundance of healthy options for all who want them.
There really is nothing new but there has been some adjustments that needed to be addressed again as I find we constantly need to be veered back from all the distractions, industry lies, unhealthy options and short cuts. There really aren’t any short cuts to healthy living in terms of we all need to learn our body at it’s current stage and do what we can to take care of it and set healthy goals to be the best version of it as we can be now and for the future. As I scroll through social media, I often come across the posts about food and the toxic levels that I feel like I have been preaching my whole life and I wonder how many people still think it’s all good and go about there merry way just consuming without thinking of the long term effects on their health? How much should we care and what can we actually do about it all? Or how many people know of the toxicity and just keep eating it and supporting these brands and companies due to the fact that the food has become so addictive they are embarrassed to admit they are addicted to it? I know, I could put my hand up for falling for that and knowing that the battle is real and it is no joke. Those scientists that have formulated addictive additives knew what they were doing and made those companies a lot of money. More importantly, what does it take to conquer these kinds of problems? How do we help each other live healthy lives in our communities without judging or shaming one another but also making a big enough impact that will change the course of our markets and society and help us get back on healthy track for all and future generations. It makes me quiver to think of what little ones consume on the regular as we see the rise in every disease and mental issue under the sun. We truly are in a battle for our health and those we love.
I believe that we all play out our little parts while we learn and we grow. We do have impact with every choice we make, there is always someone watching you, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t care what people think of you but if you have someone you love that you want to enjoy life with or children you do care about, you want them to be their best so all you can do is take care of yourself and your community the best you can with the knowledge you are being given. It might start out small but over time things change as we do. I have had many new experiences that will add to the next chapter of health and healing of our bodies and my coaching profession and I am passionate about serving you with knowledge and encouragement to keep getting up and trying again. There is always a give and take in life. I’ve gone from gym junkie to learning organic farming as I believe there is value in learning about where our food comes from and how we can improve what we eat. I support my local organic community with my money and that’s what we should all be looking to do as much as possible. Money is power that we have and how we use it shows up in our lives and the lives of those in our community.
Since the social media boom I have been sharing and spending time researching and learning and one thing I’ve noticed is the importance of your local community and how vital it is that you participate in both a give and take kind of way.
Over that last few years I have been spending a lot more time with my local community, trying to be present with those who I can help or encourage near by as I have learned that these are the people that also help me when I need it. Becoming more local driven has been a large Shift for me as I travelled around the world a lot of the time before 2020. There is a lot of fulfillment in being more local and you’d be surprised what you learn by just being present there and getting out in your local area wherever that is for you. I’m not saying that distance relationships aren’t valued and with technology these days its incredible what we can do and how we can connect but our daily habits should involve the people around you. I realize that might be a silly statement and maybe even obvious but with so much online and social media addiction, please do take inventory of how you contribute to your local community. We need more people like you living healthy and being an advocate for healthy living.
If you are interested in this community living and want to be part of the movement of wellbeing but just aren’t ready to be involved as a leader of health yet or you are just looking to make a healthy shift in your own life but came here to see if there is support and motivation, I want to invite you to my Shift program. I will be launching it in the new year but realize sometime we need some time before we really commit. If you are ready to say yes now you can enjoy the early bird sign up. Ask a friend to do it with you and make a point of being part of your local community. Either join your local gym, or maybe a hiking group or church or something where you get to check in with others. If you are already involved in your community, perhaps go to an event you normally wouldn’t and be open to trying something new. You never know what you might learn or who you might meet.
Learn more about SHIFT here
I met some great folks the other day and they invited me out to their farm where I got a full tour on how they raise and deliver high quality water buffalo. I’m really glad I made the connection and got to learn about another great source of lean protein from my local farmer. I of course have to share their information so you can order some water buffalo for yourself ( they do ship). I checked it out myself and do believe you will get great quality meat and know that you are supporting a local business that does what is right for these animal. Not only that, but it’s delicious. My favourite is the jerky! A perfect hiking snack.
I’m trying to share more local BC and Canadian businesses that are doing a great job at supporting locally and helping our country thrive in business, healthy families and communities.
Next level moments
It’s been a crazy summer and as much as I have wanted to share all the details, there simply has not been enough time to climb the mountains, farm the land, entertain family and friends, fall in love, train, get good sleeps, cook and eat good healthy meals and rest. I thought I could quickly give you a little update to let you know things are going really great and phase 4 healing really has been the completion of my healing journey. God is at work as always and things are spectacular and better than ever.
If you are popping in for the first time, my name is Claire and I have been a health and wellness coach for 20 years and I was put on a journey to learn first hand about recovery through an extensive trial and training period of 3 years, that included a traumatic brain injury from a snowboarding accident, followed by a cancer scare with a benign tumor, followed by a severe car accident where I broke my neck and suffered more brain trauma all while the world was shutting down and causing emotional and mental trauma. Not to mention losing two of my best friends to substance overdoses and watching other loved ones harm themselves with alcohol and substance to cope with the shifting times. It was a lot and a lot to take recover from.
Since July 2022 after the car accident I have been on the recovery journey and sharing what I can about the miracles, natural remedies and activities that God has been revealing to me during my recovery. I did not have much help from the medical field and my story is one for testimony purposes. My hope is that I can inspire, educate and just share my story that includes natural ways to heal through the guiding of God’s goodness and leading. He has given me a personal blueprint to restore through natural remedies, prayer and divine instruction. I believe He is using my story to help others and bring hope to those going through various trials and to remind people that He is the one with the answers and we can trust Him to bring us through many difficulties. If He can do it for me, He can do it for you or someone you love.
He is on the move in our communities, countries and the world. He is at work as always and it truly is a glorious time to be alive.
Thanks for stopping in.
In my last post I told you guys that I was working with some farmers this year and have been truly having the time of my life, such a great group of people and the physical challenge is just what I needed to strengthen my body and brain. I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun at work as I do with them and organic farming is just so very rewarding. Knowing you are helping feed other people healthy whole foods is such a good feeling. We have so much fun together at work we decided to go on an adventure because we often don’t have as much time to visit when we are working. This trip was a great team build and time to get to know each other a little but better. I think these kinds of community activities are just so healthy and needed these days. If you have a church group, family event or work event, I would highly recommend planning a trip like this.
I have been on a few hikes over the years while in recovery but this one was a little longer and a little more challenging. I probably would not have planned to do this one on my own but thankful I was pushed to do so. I have some pretty amazing people around me these days that keep me motivated and challenge me to go a little further and push a little harder. Everyone needs that from time to time and when you are in recovery, it’s important to have people understand your level, so not to push you too hard but also when you are ready, not let you stay in the comfort zone. I am definitely ready to leave the comfort zone and really push it. It can be so easy to fall into excuse zone when you have been knocked down a few times. You do have to push it and you will feel amazing after if you do, plus it will improve your recovery and hopefully all round life in general.
As much as I love training in the gym for strengthening and maintenance, I am very driven by real adventures. The destination adventures are so rewarding and the pictures are always epic.
If you are planning some hiking and you are new to the scene, I do want to tell you it’s a good idea to be prepared. You do need a backpack, water, snacks like trail mix. A good meal is important because these hikes are physically demanding. We had someone with bear spray because you just never know. I always like having a whistle but that’s more for when I’m alone. It always feels safer to go with a group and a lot more fun.
Reggie, was always running from the front of the group to the back making sure no one was getting left behind. He is the best companion and such a good adventure and farm dog, we all love him.
I love the Alltrails app. It really has given us a ton of opportunity to find amazing trails. It also gives us a the information before we set out on our journey so we know how to prepare. I highly recommend downloading it if you haven’t already.
The fun part about getting to the top of Eagle pass is that there is remains of an old cabin that was built up there. I just the thought it was inspiring to think of the work it would take to build at such a highly remote point with such an amazing view. Can you imagine waking up to that view daily? I guess if you wanted to you can always camp overnight to see what it would be like. It might be a little isolating but sometimes that’s just what a person needs.
Anyway, I need to get going as summer is flying by and there is so much I still want to do but I am working on a book that will give more details of the ways God has led me through this interesting and exciting trial to be fully and completely healed. I am officially well now and look forward to having more to share with you in the coming months. I hope you make time to get out there and adventure too, if you are able and if you are also in a trial or recovery, let this story give you hope and remind you, it’s not forever, there are always mountain tops and valley’s on the journey and God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
-Claire
I wish everyone got to enjoy the farm life even just for a little while…..
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