A Quick Response to Why I Chose a Natural Birth

On February 5, 2011, I chose to have my first birth ever, at home, in water, and unassisted.  Unassisted basically means that there is no midwife or OB present.

I know that birth can be very controversial.  There are a lot of choices out there today.  There seems to be an ever-widening chasm between those who choose natural birth vs. those who choose the mainstream option, which has become to mean in the hospital with an epidural.

A good friend of mine had a discussion on her facebook page, as someone was criticizing the natural birth choice in any situation, stating they did not understand that choice at all, when we live in the age of epidurals and other types of interventions.  I decided to take a moment and respond to that spirit.  This was something just written on a whim, in a moment, and should by no means be considered my full opinion on the subject.  But sometimes what is written on a whim, even though short, can be powerful, and I thought I would share my little facebook comment here.

"

it's all still about the right to choose, isn't it? others are free to choose to not be a participant in their births, to not feel a thing and just have their child handed to them. but i am just as free to make the choice to participate 100%. 

i desire to be the one calling the shots 100%. i desire to not miss one moment of the birthing process. what others call pain or suffering, is part of me going through a unique and one time opportunity with my little one, both of us together.

the birthing process is like the ebbs and flows of the ocean, the little one and i talking back and forth, step by step, moment by moment. i choose for us to remain in sync and communicate through that whole process. i will not leave my little one to walk that journey by themselves or with a human being who is not a part of my family, who may have different values and no lasting connection to our family. i regard it all as a sacred privilege that i will allow no one else to tread upon or to take from me. no one else can walk that journey with my little one like i can, as the Mama.

i have no desire to trade this journey in for another or to cheat the process in any way, shape, or form. i fully respect the right to other's choices, although i may not agree with them. but do not stand in the way of my choice to bond with my little one in this way. beware to those who do. i have no qualms about taking you out, if necessary. i guard this part of my relationship with my little one. it is ours to have. i relish it. it is our right to have it. and it will not be taken away from us. it is something we will have between us forever. ♥"

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired?

I have a lot of people coming to me and asking me for help for specific health symptoms they are having.  Don't get me wrong, I completely enjoy coaching others in their health!  I love what I do!  But I believe that there is a misconception out there to merely solve for individual symptoms.

You can solve for individual symptoms you are having.  It's totally possible.  High blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, chronic headaches, joint pain, obesity - all are things that have solutions in a natural and alternative way.  But were you aware that it can be more costly to solve for individual symptoms alone?

Another way to go about it is to take action to improve your overall health.  Many times when people set this as their main goal, they find that many chronic symptoms completely disappear!  It truly is the better way to set a goal to improve your overall health first, then see if any chronic symptoms remain, and then solve for those.  It saves you a lot of time, money, and eliminates the need for tons of different supplements you may feel compelled to order to solve for each individual symptom.

I also find that many people try to solve for individual symptoms because they are completely overwhelmed with the idea of improving their overall health.  They either think that is too huge to tackle, or that it will involve things that will be horrible and they won't be able to maintain, like major restrictive diets or endless amounts of exercise that they will have to plod through.  This sincerely is not the case and could not be further from the truth.

What if there were ways to improve your overall health without buying or taking tons of supplements, having to make major restrictive diet changes, or force yourself through huge amounts of boring exercise?  What would you do?

Some people balk at the idea of a health coach.  I'm always curious as to why.  We see the need for coaches in various sports like football, to be able to dance, and to learn a musical instrument.  Why not see the need to get a coach for your health?  Without your health, you cannot do any of these things.  Lack of health makes you miss out on moments with your loved ones, to fully participate in going after your dreams, to be able to provide for your family, and for some, lack of health prevents you from even having a family.  What can you be and do without your health?

It is never too late to start working on your health.  The human body is an amazing creation that can truly come back from the worst.  There is always a solution that can be worked out according to your lifestyle and budget needs.  Because of today's technology, health coaching can be done through the phone and email from anywhere in the world.

What's really keeping you from losing weight?  From quitting smoking?  From having the health to go after the life you dream about?  Having a plan tailored to your specific health issues, goals, and your specific needs dramatically increases your amount of success.

It's beginning to be a cliche, but sometimes the first step is asking for help, letting someone else's wisdom and expertise help you get to where you want to be.  It could be someone in your family, someone you know from  work or another group, it could be another professional health coach, or it could be me.

If you'd like to seek my help, my contact info is below.  It helps to interview people and do some introductory consultations to truly find someone you have a connection with that can help you get to where you want to be.

In order to change, we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired.  ~Author Unknown

Here's to you living the life of your dreams!

Cherieann Riley
803.810.7718 - cell
Find me on facebook!  :D
blacksheepprincess@gmail.com

How It All Began...

My journey into natural and alternative health officially began in 2006.  I was in extremely ill health.  I constantly got sick.  And not just mildly sick, but every winter it was bronchitis or pneumonia or BOTH.  I had no energy.  I hurt everywhere.  It was so bad, that I was housebound.  Needless to say, 2006 was one of the darkest years of my life.

I had been giving mainstream medicine a chance for about 5 years.  And every few months, I got worse, gained a few more symptoms, got on a few more pharmaceutical meds, generally kept getting worse, although I was under delusion for the longest time that my conditions were "well controlled."  By the time I reached the end of 2006, I felt near death.  I was wildly desperate.  I did not know what to do.  And I had no idea where to start.  The doctors were not giving me any hope that I could cling to.  I felt like I was in a dark hole, and I felt my heart sinking, as I did not know if it was possible to get out, as deep as I was.

I only knew in my heart that there had to be SOMETHING I could do.  My life couldn't be over in my 20's.  I just felt like I was made for MORE.  So finally, I made the decision that changed my life forever.  I decided to "fire" my doctors.  And I went in search for truth.  And I'm SO glad I made that choice and jumped into the unknown.

You may be where I was, overwhelmed and unsure where to start.  Your problems may not have been as severe as mine, or who knows?  Yours could be much worse than what I have had to suffer.  I just want to take some time from my life and start to give back to help others who may be in a similar place to where I have been and are unsure where to start.  For you, it may not even be your health that is in jeopardy.  It may be something else, like finances.  Or maybe, it is relationships you are struggling with - dating, marriage, parenting, simple friendships or possibly your immediate family is driving you bonkers.  I have struggled to find truth in it all.  And become the black sheep in the process.

However, it has all been worth it.  I have no regrets in my life.  Instead of hiding my face in shame, I am reveling in being the black sheep that I am.  I love who I am.  I love my life.  I am embracing the royalty I have been called to by my Father, who is King of all.  I hope and pray to encourage you all in your personal journeys, as I would not be where I am without those who have encouraged me along the way.

Are there specific questions any of you have?  Any certain topics you'd like to hear about?  There's so much to share!  If there is anything specific you'd like covered first, email me and let me know!  Until I hear from you, I'm just going to see what comes up from my heart and share things that have made a difference for me and my family, and hopefully that wisdom and experience helps some of you out there on your journey.

I am ever, and proudly,

The Black Sheep Princess