30 in 30! *TLL Fundraiser!*

*When we are in circle with others, the energy stays contained within the group giving back to all.* ~DailyOM

I will be turning 30 years old in 30 days! I’ve spent a great deal of time wondering what I’d like to do to celebrate life. While I will definitely do something special with the ones I love, I decided I would also like to include something that will benefit us all in one way or another- a gift that can keep on giving.

As I get older and approach this new decade with open arms, I am realizing it is a priority to do as much as I can with the strengths that I have in my personal and professional life. I am grateful to be enrolled in a school that gives me the foundations and resources to soon practice and provide holistic medicine to all, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and ideas through this amazing health and wellness community this little lark has created.

Through this journey, my eyes have opened wide to the real traumas we all suffer with on a physical, mental, and emotional level. Through events like natural disasters, accidents, war, & crime, we are all in need of support but don’t always have the accessibility (whether it’s lack of insurance or resources) to receive it.

So what can I do to be the change right now? One step is to train with Acupuncturists Without Borders’ (AWB) Healing Community Trauma. “Acupuncturists Without Borders’ vision is to foster the creation of stable, peaceful global communities through its community-based acupuncture services and training which interrupt the cycles of unresolved trauma.” With this training, I will become a volunteer to any and all communities that are in need of physical, mental, and spiritual support in the aftermath of a traumatic event. The training includes the following:

• How to set up a Mobile Clinic
• How to create teams that flourish together
• How to work in a disaster situation
• How to work with severely traumatized communities and individuals
• How to recognize and manage acute traumatic stress
• How to set up a community acupuncture event in your local area
• Ethical and safety issues.
• Qi gong instruction and practice for reducing stress in toxic situations.
• Logistics and practical application of a Community Style acupuncture session.

It would be a great pleasure to be able to make a difference in this capacity and what I am asking in the next 30 days (before my big 30th birthday on May 26th) is that you donate to support the cost of this training.  I see this, not only as a gift to myself, but also to our global community. As the quote in the beginning of this post states, *When we are in circle with others, the energy stays contained within the group giving back to all.*  I want to do more and at this time I’m asking for your support to help make my dream a reality. If you are unable to give financial support, I appreciate your well wishes and positive thoughts that I will achieve my goal!

Click on the paypal *Make A Donation* button below, on the homepage of this site, or contact me at thislittlelark@gmail.com if you would like to send a check in the mail.  If by the end of this fundraiser I am so blessed to receive more than the price of the trainings, I will set the money aside to be used to support further this little lark service projects. Many, many blessings to you all and thank you for making this upcoming birthday of mine the most special yet. I do feel we can all contribute to making this world a better place! 

*For more information on AWB, visit their website: http://www.acuwithoutborders.org/

 

Cost of Training I: $349
Cost of Training II: $820
Total Fundraising Goal: $1169

wounded healer.

“Only the wounded healer can truly heal.” –Irvin D. Yalom

Journey of the Wounded Healer by Alex Grey

Spring is in full bloom here in Portland, OR and posts from this little lark are back! In the last few months, I’ve been focusing my energy inward more than usual to heal and work through several life shaking events that have occurred. Now that I’m approaching the other side of that tunnel, I am realizing the incredible growth that has happened within me and am thankful I took the time to listen to my body and my needs.

There are stressful events, in my case a car accident and house break-in, that are completely out of our control. Our bodies have natural reactions in the form of adrenaline and cortisol spikes to take protective measures, and symptoms of PTSD can happen anywhere from immediately after the traumatic event to days, weeks, months, even years later. On top of our regular daily stresses (school, work, children, finances…etc) this can really over tax our bodies and break us down.

Throughout this process,  my qigong teacher made sure to reassure me in saying that the universe never hands us a challenge that we cannot handle. This was hard to believe at first, but after taking time to reflect and feel what was really going on in my body, I knew. Once I identified the fears and woundings, I had something to work with, something to transform and strengthen.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by a community of practitioners that are supportive in every sense of healing; mental-emotional, physical, and spiritual.  Seeking support and allowing time to process and just be was the best thing I could have done for myself. I learned how to be the calm amidst the storm which has taught my body to react less and be present more. Each day has been easier as I take time to breathe, be gentle, and navigate my feelings. I can only hope and keep working hard in my personal life so that I can provide this sense of safety and empathy for my future patients.  There is a wounded healer in all of us and with that we can shine so much light on others who experience similar woundings.

I am now in my last term of my 3rd (of 4) year of Chinese medical school and am happy to report that I recently passed the clinic entrance exam so I will start as an intern in July! I will continue to write and ask for guest writers for this little lark, so if you would like to share your story, please e-mail thislittlelark@gmail.com! I have so much gratitude for this community and am so excited about the direction it is going! Thank you for providing the space for me to share my thoughts and feelings. Many, many blessings to you all!