2 Years, 2 Weeks & 1 Doggie Llama

Two years ago mid-May, I woke up in a fog. It was dark gray, stubborn and I couldn’t shake it no matter how much coffee I drank, how much yoga I did, how much sleep I got, or how many roses or massages my lover bestowed upon me.  And it was getting progressively darker…approaching blackout.

My intuition led me to a few healers on the Westside and I landed in a doctor’s office, told I had a litany of dis-eases …and that they were all TOTALLY REVERSIBLE.

Fast forward two years. I woke up in a milky fog, not quite as bleak as the stubborn gray from 2 years ago but bleak nonetheless. I know my body well and I was acutely aware that some recent changes were not a sign of optimal health: including but not limited to – a metallic taste in my mouth, lethargy akin to a gas tank being on empty and a low-grade fever. I had the obligatory blood and urine tests done and came to find out out that I now have synergistic metal toxicity…wtf? 6 heavy metals wreaking havoc in my body…how can that be when I had more than 60 IV’s 2 years ago?!

I allowed myself time to cry, rant, rave and embrace self-pity for 24 hours with the following thoughts swirling through my head:  “I already went through this and came out the other side better than ever…wtf? ” “Why me?”&  “Really?! I don’t have time to be sick…I have a big beautiful life to live, clients to see, books to write, events to produce and jewelry and t-shirts to design that stores want delivered  yesterday.”

The next morning was a Sunday…May 1st to be exact, 2 weeks ago today.  I tumbled out of bed and took a walk on Main Street. with my dear friend Mia. We stopped at our regular haunts, I ran into an old friend at Much Love Animal Rescue and when I mentioned that I’d love to adopt a dog, he said “Yeah, I think that energy would be great for you.” He had no idea how much those words would resonate with me in the coming weeks.

Mia & I played with the precious pups, tried on some fun & exotic jewelry and then, as we were approaching the Coffee Bean, l stopped in my tracks. I turned to my friend and  said…OMG, look! See that scruffy-looking thing in the window? THAT is my dog!” I didn’t know if it was a he or a she or if  the pup was even up for a adoption but something magnetic drew me inside. The puppy was sweet, cuddly and jumped right into my lap. There was no rhyme or reason but I knew I had to figure out a way to provide this creature with a forever home.

That was 2 weeks ago and  I was told that he (Tugger aka the Doggie Llama)  had gotten his shots, had been treated for kennel cough and that he had been neutered. Well, none of the above were true. In addition, I came to find out that he had been dropped at a shelter in South Central days before and just happened to be scooped up with his buddy Fozzie Bear and taken to the Take Me Adoption site at the Animal Wellness Center that fateful Sunday morning.  Zen and Kismet were names on the docket…and although they worked for me, no response from said pup. TUGGER suits him to a T;)

I took him home with me that day and since that time he has succumbed to myriad antibiotics & shots, all with grace and dignity. The following day I had a phone consult with my doctor and what I intuitively thought about my health was true. My body was toxic and I would need to embrace IV chelation therapy AGAIN. The good news is that TUGGER aka the Doggie Llama is my constant companion on this journey and that there is a light shining very brightly at the end of both of our proverbial healing tunnels.

xoxo Jamie & Tugger

WHAT CONSTITUTES AN AMAZING WOMAN?

When Marsh Engle posed this question, what immediately came to mind was a poem that my brother gave me about 10 years ago. If you’re not familiar with the work of  Mary Anne Radmacher, I highly recommend that you google her.  In the meantime, here is the poem…and my musings of what AMAZING WOMAN’S DAY means to me.

‘she lives’

she dances. she sings. she takes. she gives. she serves. she loves and creates. she dissents. she enlivens. she sees. she grows. she sweats. she changes. she learns. she laughs. she sheds her skin. she bleeds on the pages of her days. she walks through walls. she lives with intention. ~  mary anne radmacher

Don’t you just love that?!?! After marinating in these delicious words for a while, here is what came through as I put a pen to paper.

AMAZING WOMAN’S DAY

A: she accepts invitations with alacrity

M: she is memorable

A: she is astute & aware

Z: she is zealous

I: she is inspired

N: she is noble

G: she is graceful & grounded

W: she is wise

O: she is open to a world filled with opportunity & possibility

M: she is majestic

A: she is alive & animated e is nurturing to herself & others

‘: she punctual

S: she is a sage & sing board

D: she is both demonstrative & daring

A: she is alive

Y: she says YES with an open heart

THE EMBODIMENT OF VOICE

I had only been living in LA for about a year when I met Marc Miranda. A new friend, a compelling conversation and a simple request further led me down a path that was clearly evolving into my life’s work….the exploration of health & wellness from every angle imaginable — holistic, alternative, complementary, East/West, call it what you will — I perked up every time I talked about it, not unlike a sunflower that resolutely follows the sun.

A simple question from Marc:  ‘Would you be interested in participating in a documentary that I’m working on?’ followed by my immediate response:  ”Sure, why not?’ led to a series of interviews, culminating in a snowy trek to an enchanting location called the Voice Farm in the heart of Yosemite where I was introduced to Warren and Marty Barigian and a modality known as Vocal Bio Matrix.  Surrounded by the majesty of Redwoods and crisp, white snow, the Barigians welcomed us into their quaint ranch-style home equipped with beautiful handmade quilts.  In that moment, I was literally and figuratively escorted into another realm of existence.

I had done a little research on Warren Barrigian (most of it dating back to work he had done with Meatloaf and Jackson Browne, both who acknowledge Warren’s work as the catalyst to resurrecting their careers) Marc had tried to explain how Warren’s work had transformed his life but it became clear that was going to be yet another ‘experiential adventure’ for me – my favorite kind.

We warmed up, had lunch and watched a bit of football before I was escorted into a wood-paneled room with Warren; I recall seeing myriad musical instruments that I wasn’t familiar with and I remember a few moments of tapping on my upper chest and back. Then (presumably hours later) I awoke with tears streaming down my cheeks, my head resting on Warren’s chest and acutely aware that I was sobbing from a deep place within my being.  I remember sleeping well that night and although I wanted to put words to the experience, I had none — it was beyond words, something had shifted deep within my soul. I felt lighter & peaceful, although a bit anxious wondering how this experience would translate into my daily living.

When I asked Marc to expound on his own experience recently, he reiterated my sentiments that the work is beyond words but he proffered the following.  “I suffered from a severe case of stage fright. I tried meditation, self help tapes, mantra’s, and books yet none of these produced any changes. After a session with you (Warren) I walked out a different person. You (Warren) were able to knock down barriers that none of the other methods could. I now know the difference between an artist and a con-artist. An artist’s frees the will; a con-artist manipulates the will. You (Warren) are the former.”
Marc went on to say in a recent email. “Just for the record you (me) were one of the few people that I met who was receptive to the idea of having the work done.” Hmmm…what does that say about me?;)

A few quotes about Warren Barigian:
“He can do everything he says he can do.” ~ Jackson Browne
“I can’t explain it…He worked with me and now I can sing better than I ever could. ~Meat Loaf (myriad articles report that Warren Barigian assisted in rescuing Meat Loaf’s voice when Pavarotti’s voice coach, psychiatrists and even hypnotists had failed to restore it.

The work is currently being taught by Marty Barigian, who can be found at www.seekeroftheuniverse.com

Per the web site: For the first time in 40 years, Seeker of the Universe will be training students in the philosophy and techniques of this very unique scientific, holistic work. You will be taught to clear emotional and psychosomatic blockages in the body that keep one’s “true voice” from coming through. This training will help free one’s “real voice” from the “assumed voice,” you know, the one you created to tell all of your lies. By freeing the “true voice” from the psychological blocks created and stored in the body, this technique has been able to facilitate a tremendous amount of emotional healing in students. Plus, they may get the added benefit of a better singing voice. It can be described as a form of quantum vibrational healing combined with intuitive bodywork.