Challenges

Today is Day 46 and is the first encounter of a real challenge to come my way since the start. I feel absolutely dire, dizzy spells, weakness, chills, headaches and teariness. I could barely get out of bed into a hot bath this morning, but I managed with little, light steps and even managed to register an enema. On top of that, my family have picked up on this occasion to express their concern about this juice feast. It took great force to have to explain this process as a 'journey' that may encounter a few blips, though which are integral to the cleansing process, in order to experience greater health and joy on all levels - and that I have sufficient knowledge of this process to pursue it without any danger to myself. I didn't feel that they were convinced, as they insisted that I should break it. I explained that I had cured a lifetime of depression, with my first juice feast amongst other things and that I wanted to go even further into the process this time around. My father's response was "I feel joy when I am eating a pizza and a cheesecake", which closed the argument for me. There is nothing more I can say, but it hurts me to see that they disapprove of my actions. I feel that since I have been following a more holistic, natural way of living, that my family have detached a little from me. I am very clear of my thoughts, and more conscious about the impact of negative thought on life. I am not active in the group moaning and bitching sessions that have been paradigm for our interaction as a family for most of my life. And everything I choose to do, for example studying Natural Nutrition next year is plagued with their dismissal and doubt. I have been lumped with my mother - a complementary health practitioner - in the 'airy-fairy' category, which is, shockingly, a huge rejection from my two brothers and my father. Unfortunately my mother also thinks that this juice feast is all a bit too extreme. I would like them to understand that I have experienced the lightness and love of this world for the first time in all my life on this nutritional path. It has opened the door to living in synchronisty and harmony with life, and placed me in alignment with God.

My first juice fast was the first time in my life that I woke up with gratitude to be alive, is that not a feat worthy of praise? I began to love myself, love other people and open up to the beautiful energy inherent in children. I began to love nature, and feel a deeper respect for her wisdom. And I began to feel confident in my own unique path as a human being, and proud to be part of the dance of life. I would love to convince the world of the manifold solutions to the negativity and problems we live today can be resolved through natural nutrition, loving openness to each other and respect for nature and Universal Love. It starts with a few conscious seeds to be sown with openness. But the biggest poison is doubt which has, conversely plagued my own former years and which I believe is quite prevalent as a habit that goes without questioning. I am not saying that I am above all this, quite the contrary, it is a constant struggle for me, as I was the worst of all hardened cynics that you could possible encounter. But thats not the point, it is about being aware of your thoughts more than anything, consciousness is key. I am dedicated to searching, unraveling the layers and going deeper into my conditioning; and thats what this juice feast is about. Nonetheless sometimes words don't cut it, you have to experience it to know how deep this process goes - I only wish that it would not put the backs up of those around me. I am not posing a threat to them, I am simply following a path that I feel to be right for me. Love, Poppy

Today:

Enema, Skin Brush and Warm Bath
1l Fresh Sage and Mint Tea

A little postscript about trusting your body. I suppose when you suffer a detox crisis, you may be tempted to think that the Juice Feast doesn't work, afterall why should it make you ill? I am reminded in investing the same faith the wisdom of your body and we should invest into the knowledge of nature - I think of organic farming, for example. How often have we inflicted pain on the soil, in thinking that the chemicals we apply and unnatural mono-culture systems improve the quality of our produce? People are beginning to understand now that working with nature, improves the bounty that she offers us, in turn improving our relationship with her and continually regenerating the soil. Faith and respect are key - trusting that the wisdom of our bodies to heal and know itself is greater than what we think we know.