Meet Carol from New Zealand as she maneuvers an unexpected health obstacle that disrupts her life's calling. Discover how creativity, writing, faith, and meditation become the guiding rhythm that helps her rediscover purpose and embrace newfound hope.
โDancing can reveal all the mystery that music conceals.โ - Charles Baudelaire.
Movement is our first language; I believe weโre born to dance. While we canโt always choose the music life plays for us, we decide how we will dance to it.
Iโve always had a penchant for creativity and adventure, enjoying dance, other creative pursuits, and climbing literal and figurative mountains. I relished working in the therapeutic world; it felt more like a calling. I savoured every moment; my purpose and mission fuelled me. I felt honoured to hold space and brighten dark places.
My highlights are when Iโve witnessed once dull and hopeless eyes light up when the person felt seen, heard, and accepted. Such is the power of compassionate presence.
Then, ill health struck. Progressively as my health declined, I was stripped of doing what I loved. Eventually, all I had was being able to facilitate the occasional workshop when opportunity and energy aligned. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is a merciless beast.
In 2020, the unimaginable happened. In addition to soul-destroying fatigue, I began experiencing frequent vocal challenges of varying degrees, from total voice loss to being able to utter nothing more than a hoarse croak. I could no longer accept facilitation invitations because my voice was now unreliable.
Uncertainty has a distinctive rhythm, the rhythm of unpredictability. As such, it is a particularly tricky dance companion.
How do you befriend the unknown, the invisible, the unpredictable?
I was devastated; the inability to guest-facilitate the occasional workshop was more dismaying than being unable to speak normally. The final pillar upholding my ability to do what I love had fallen. I cried. I grieved. I mourned.
As time dragged on, I descended further into the abyss of inexplicable exhaustion and a plethora of symptoms. My shrinking world, pervasive sadness, and a growing sense of worthlessness expedited my descent. I felt like I was being swallowed by a damp, dark fog.
After an extended period of wallowing in self-pity, I reoriented to align my thinking with truth. Writing and meditation reminded me that I have intrinsic value because I'm made in the image of God; created with purpose, created for purpose. Even though, at that point, I was no longer certain what my purpose was, I remembered that my value or identity is not defined by what I can or cannot do. Meditation and affirmations let the truth of my inherent value percolate in my mind until it was ready to travel from my head to my heart, where it settled into the fabric of my being and became embodied wisdom.
I draw on this wisdom to silence occasional value-related rogue thoughts, remain hopeful, and trust that God has a plan.
My shrinking world, pervasive sadness, and a growing sense of worthlessness expedited my descent. I felt like I was being swallowed by a damp, dark fog.
Regarding my health journey, in time, I accepted this: it is what it is. In the one hand, I hold the acceptance that for this season, this is my path. While in the other hand, I hold an awareness of all that is possible.
So, I started dancing again, swaying in sweet surrender to the melody of contentment and the rhythm of extravagant hope.
Life is full of surprises, pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral, yet what matters is how we respond to those surprises. Despite ongoing voice loss and health challenges, I found new ways to make a difference.
So, as I navigate chronic illnessโs winding, unpredictable, unwelcome, and messy path, I do so with hope.
You and I may not be able to choose the music life plays for us; however, we do get to choose how we will dance to it. May we dance with strength, courage, and grace.
Meet Carol V. Meyer
Carol V. Meyer is a lover of nature and all things creative. She uses poetry, writing, dance, art, music, and faith to navigate her journey with authenticity and grace. She is a skilled trauma-informed Holistic Therapist, workshop, and retreat facilitator. Chronic illness interrupted her therapeutic practice; now she uses creativity and creates tools that inspire adults to live more fully.
Carol believes in the power of dreams and stories; in April 2022, her 41-year-old dream to start a magazine became a reality. InFlow Magazine is the mechanism she now uses to continue to make a positive contribution to the world. Carol and her son publish quarterly, offering this digital magazine for free, in service to humanity.
You can get your copy of the magazine free - by clicking here and following the instructions.
Carol also started an InFlow Facebook page where she posts inspiring quotes. She invites you to follow and connect with her there.
https://www.facebook.com/InFlow4inspiration
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I love that you are embracing change and choosing to be optimistic and dance.
Thank you ๐
Have a beautiful day!
Thank you! Many blessings on your journey.
I have experienced such a twist in my fate by the many joint problems that I have gotten since the age of 45
I am so sorry to hear about your joint problems. May your day unfold with ease and grace.
Sorry to hear about your health struggles, life can sure be unexpected at times. Itโs good that your postive though
Thank you ๐
Have a beautiful day!
I am sorry to hear about your health struggle but I am glad that you found the courage and strength to rise above it. May we all learn to continue to dance as we navigate through life. Thank you for sharing the wisdom and inspiration.
Thank you ๐
Have a beautiful day!
Life is full of challenges. When we are down it’s us being tested. It’s good that you pass the test and keep dancing again. Enjoy life!
Thank you ๐
Indeed, it’s all about how we respond. Have an amazing day!
I am so sorry for your unexpected health decline and loss of voice. My heart truly goes out to you. However, I love your positivity and the fact you still look for ways to make a difference. You’re such an amazing inspiration.
Thank you ๐
I love what I do now. Have an amazing day!
Ooohhhh…I am sorry to know about this sickness pulling you down, girl! You’ve asked a question that’s gonna stick with me for a while; “how do you cope with the unexpected”?
Thank you ๐
Have a beautiful day.
Life is full of challenges and ups and downs, I liked the fact that you finally started dancing again. Do what you love, life will be easier.
Thank you ๐
Doing what you love sure makes a huge difference.
You never know what curve balls life will throw your way. It’s always important not to let the surprises get you down, although it’s not always easy to do.
Thank you. I totally agree. Blessings.