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Friday morning I became a statistic.

It is strange, for we become a statistic when we are born, arriving in this chaotic expanding world. We also get counted when we depart this world, leaving behind this physical existence. Along the way we get enumerated and categorized in so many ways. Gender, age, income, nationality, education, profession, sexuality, religion/spirituality, etc…

The latest circumstance that added me to a growing list was not by choice, however, I knew it was only a matter of time. In a world that presently observes the growing number of COVID cases, I recognized that between my job, which exposes me to people everyday, living in an apartment and co-existing in a busy society, it was likely I would catch the virus.

Yes, this girl tested positive to COVID-19. Thus far, I feel very fortunate that my body is rallying well with the symptoms. The biggest one being no smell or taste, which is very strange. My experience has really helped me to understand more clearly how easy it is for people to have it and not know. My symptoms are subtle, I have definitely experienced worse colds. It seems to strike everyone very uniquely, attacking and targeting a person’s weak spots.

When the journey with COVID-19 began, I found myself really wondering why we did not focus as intently on helping people to know how to build up their immune systems. All the fixation seemed to be on finding a vaccine. What about the one thing we can all do NOW, boost our immune systems. Why are we not empowering people to know how to navigate the possible symptoms, sharing things that encourage the body to journey through the virus with as much ease as possible.

As always I feel like our Western Medicine world is concentrated on treating the syndrome event, not the root issue – a weak immune system. As a health freak and certified Health Coach, the body and its miraculous ability has fascinated me since I was fifteen. Our bodies are incredible! When we invest wisely in nurturing this miraculous system, the results can even shock doctors; doctors who rarely receive any nutritional training during their schooling/residencies.

This week I found myself feeling shame as I lined up with many others to get tested. Why did I feel this way for something I did not consciously choose or want? As I looked around the line, there were all ages and walks of life. We sat there in the chilly morning for over an hour, knowing we had to be there early to be lucky enough to make the cut for testing.

I thought about people who physically struggle to get around, how were they supposed to get there and wait? What about the people who can’t get off work to get tested? I myself had challenges to get there. I had tried the day before, only to be 47th in line, missing my chance by seven people. After all these months have we made it easier for people to get tested? Do we support and encourage people to find out? I know I sure did not want to be there and if I did not care about spreading it to others, I would not have gone.

I have family that live in other countries, so it has been interesting for me to hear about their COVID processes. For my brother and his family in UAE, a team came to every home to test them. While my sister in Turkey had to be tested prior to students coming back to the school where she works. Every place pursues their own way of doing it, hoping to minimize the effects and impact.

As I stay tucked away in my little world, I look out the window and wonder, how many people that walk by have it and don’t know? If at 55 my symptoms are so mellow, the younger healthy generation is likely to experience almost nothing. Nine months ago when this really hit my part of the world, I asked then –

• Why are we not focusing how to boost the immune system?
• Why are we not empowering people with things they can do to keep themselves healthy and strong?
• Isn’t it possible to come at this virus from two directions – immune boosting and vaccine?

It is my life experience that when we give others information that helps them to take charge of their own circumstances and potential, they do so, letting go of the fear and stress which cripples them.

As the numbers continue to climb again around the globe, can we open the conversation about supporting our immune systems to do the job they were built to do. Enabling the body to journey through the virus, hopefully increasing the number of people with natural antibodies. Science is powerful, however, let us not forget that science has been wrong many times throughout history. We are each housed within a body, a system that works hard to serve us through all of life’s challenges. Gratefully the last ten to twenty years I have watched our nutritional awareness expand and start to be taken seriously. Hippocrates and so many along the way have tried to tell us – What we put in our bodies, how we care for the inside and outside directly impacts our quality of life.

I might be completely wrong, but, I bet this will not be the last virus to challenge us. It’s a glorious opportunity for us all to compassionately care for ourselves and each other. Pointing fingers, blaming or shaming do not solve anything, they only inhibit our ability to heal, learn and grow. Like all things in life, we can look at COVID as an opportunity to create positive change or allow it to control with fear and limitation.

I am one of many newly counted statistics in my area… It is not fun, however, I am grateful to have a body that is rallying with me to move through this challenge to heal and become even stronger through the experience. My appreciation expands beyond words for all of those on the front lines testing people, working in the hospitals, trying to create the vaccine, and… May we all remember to be that smile behind the mask that helps someone to have a better day, to know they are not alone, and to do our part in our own self care, so we can then assist others.

We are not just a statistic. We are a human with many feelings, desires and dreams. As a species we excel at creativity and ingenuity, may we not forget that we are capable of great things. Fear drags us ALL down, it limits and controls. Personally, I prefer to focus upon ways that I can co-create positive change, versus getting sucked into the quick sand of fear and worry.

I ask you –

• What things do you do daily to take care of your body, mind and spirit?
• Do you know ways that you can bolster your immune system?
• Are you taking action with regard to your own health and well being?
• As you hear about the spread of COVID, are you also educating yourself on ways to help your body be ready?

On this snowy day in my world I send you well wishes for a healthy happy week….

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