Inspiration Contagion: Health Secrets for Raving Success

By Holly Jean Jackson

A guidebook for inspiration . . . 

. . . unlike any you've read before. 

Get ready to own a trail map that takes you from darkness and despair into the light of hope. And not just hope, but immediate actionable strategies! 

This book

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brave Healer Productions
• Release date: Jul 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781954047457

Book preview

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Inspiration

Contagion

Health Secrets

for Raving Success

Holly Jean Jackson

Inspiration Contagion

Health Secrets for Raving Success

Holly Jean Jackson

©Copyright 2022 Holly Jean Jackson

Published by Brave Healer Productions

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-954047-44-0

eBook ISBN: 978-1-954047-45-7

Table of Contents

PREFACE

Chapter 1

WHY INSPIRATION?

Chapter 2

Inspiration Applied

Chapter 3

Without Your Health, What Do You Have?

Chapter 4

Sleep—The Root of Health

Chapter 5

Self Care Isn’t Selfish

Chapter 6

Stress and Anxiety Kills

Chapter 7

Shifting Our Self-Talk and Mental Health

Chapter 8

Move Your Body!

Chapter 9

The Importance of How and What You Eat

Chapter 10

Coping with Chronic Pain

Chapter 11

Own Your Health Journey

Chapter 12

Thrive!

Acknowledgments

About the Author

DISCLAIMER

This book offers health and nutritional information and is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have read here. The use of any information provided in this book is solely at your own risk.

Developments in medical research may impact the health, fitness, and nutritional advice that appears here. No assurances can be given that the information contained in this book will always include the most relevant findings or developments with respect to the particular material.

Having said all that, know that I have shared my tools, practices, and knowledge with you with a sincere and generous intent to assist you on your health and wellness journey. Please contact me with any questions you may have about the techniques or information provided. I will be happy to assist you further!

PREFACE

The Importance of the Campfire, Storytelling, and Community

"The work of the individual still remains the spark that moves mankind forward.

~ Igor Sikorsky

For many years I’ve had countless friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and strangers tell me, Holly, you need to write a book. It comes up in conversation after I share a story. Usually, it’s the bear story and sometimes a story about dealing with chronic pain.

Every time I would attempt to write this book, I was writing from the perspective of invisible and chronic pain. I would get going and then quickly discover that writing about my pain and suffering from the past was depleting and exhausting. It wasn’t life-giving. It was painful.

Now that I am a bit wiser, I chose to start from my meditation cushion. I began visualizing what I wanted to share. The essence I wanted people to walk away with. The feelings I wanted to stir up inside of others.

I realized quickly that what I really wanted to write about was inspiration—how people can go through wild, crazy, and painful experiences and instill inspiration, encouragement, and wisdom to others. That is the essence of what I want to write and share with the world.

I also realized I wanted to create a movement and build a tribe of people who want to inspire others. I want inspiration to become contagious. I want it to spread like wildfire. I want to bring people together behind a positive purpose. To build each other up. Lift each other up.

We live in a world where fear, stress, and busyness rule the day. That is why we must step back, look to our ancestors and ourselves for what matters.

Throughout history, storytelling has been used to pass on wisdom and inspiration. I believe that we have so many stories of inspiration across all walks of life that aren’t considered newsworthy. That is because society has grossly skewed what is newsworthy. We need to take back our power and strength as a tribe and share inspiring stories.

Join me! Get back to your roots!

Sit with me by the campfire. Grab a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. Get your comfy sofa slippers, that favorite soft sweater, get cozy, and let’s share life-giving stories.

As we sit around the campfire, imagine sharing all those stories that have inspired us most. Stories from our own journeys. Stories that provide light in a world where it can often feel quite dark.

The campfire and storytelling traditions that come from our ancestors carry great value. We learn from each other through storytelling. We remember more valuable lessons when shared within the context of a story.

We build connection, tribe, and community through storytelling. We gain new insights and ideas we can apply to our own lives through the story’s others share.

In sharing our stories, we heal through vulnerability. We become more aware of our patterns. The more we share and let down our guard, the faster we can heal. Healing comes from sharing in circles.

Take a moment to sit and reflect on your stories. Perhaps even take a moment to jot down some notes or write in your journal.

A Bumpy Journey

In this lifetime, I know it’s my calling to help people heal themselves. I also believe that my body and its ailments allow me to reach people in a very real way. I have been coping with chronic pain for most of my life.

Beyond my physical pain, I have also experienced many personal and professional challenges. In my professional life, I climbed the corporate ladder with great success but also experienced frequent layoffs. Sadly, each layoff was coupled with a new health diagnosis or challenge.

At twenty-three, I had ten-level spinal fusion after four to five years of visiting chronic back pain clinics. I lost myself entirely to chronic pain for several years. I survived an extremely abusive marriage and divorce where I nearly lost my identity. I survived a bear charging me in the woods alone, a scorpion sting in Guatemala, a yearlong sinus infection, which led to surgery, a severe concussion, and so much more.

I don’t believe most of us experience that much physical turmoil in a single lifetime. After continuing to see the same pattern over and over, I decided to go on a quest to break the cycle.

Believe it or not, that quest is what led to the moment where this book came into existence.

And then, years later, a week after my scorpion sting, I had an epiphany; life was throwing these crazy stories into my path, so I would get the message and write a book already. Clearly, I had a message to share.

Even after hearing the message loud and clear, I started the book but went in the wrong direction again. Over four years have passed since the scorpion epiphany. This time I am dedicated to completing this project because I know it’s on the right topic.

During a morning meditation, it came to me. Instead of focusing on pain and suffering, focus on inspiration and transformation! Share your stories of transformational growth through inspiration.

I think the reason it took so long to get started is that transformation is a painful process. And sharing your transformation is extremely vulnerable. It’s much like baring your soul to a new partner. You never know how they’ll receive it, and there’s a chance they may reject you entirely.

The reality is that without vulnerability, transformation is impossible. The more open and vulnerable you can be, the faster you will grow into who you were meant to be.

I am here to share my experiences and provide tools for transformation because I want to bring health, clarity, and business to you so you can build the life of your dreams.

I want to help you define success on your terms. I want to help you get clear on the legacy you wish to leave behind. I want to help you live an intentional life with big dreams on your bucket list. And I want to help you bust through obstacles and fears with love, passion, and knowing.

My Invitation to You

If you’re ready to join me on this journey of transformation, please read on. Even if you’re feeling some resistance, you’re in the right place.

What we resist persists . . . it doesn’t magically go away on its own.

What we resist is usually what we need to do most to grow and transform.

Press on! I promise you it’s worth it. You’re worth it!

And I am here to guide you every step of the way.

Your Loving Guide,

Holly Jean Jackson

1

WHY INSPIRATION?

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved . . .

the ones who never yawn and say a commonplace thinking but burn, burn, burn

like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars."

~ Jack Kerouac

I am not ready to die! These were the words screaming through my mind as I faced a mamma bear in the middle of the woods all alone.

You see, I had decided to take a backpacking trip alone in the woods of Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. I was working through some things after my divorce, and I was stuck.

I was in a step study for codependency, and I was on the all-too-difficult step of spiritual inventory. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Celebrate Recovery and step studies, here’s how it works.

You choose a problem you’re working on and attend a group session where you share openly the challenges you’re facing. It’s extremely vulnerable and yet also very healing. After my divorce, I knew my part in what went wrong was that I was codependent. I wanted to work on it so I wouldn’t repeat it in future relationships. My relationship had been extremely abusive, so I was very motivated to change.

The spiritual inventory step involves writing out every single thing you have done wrong toward others, what you could have done differently, and how you have forgiven that wrongdoing. It also includes an inventory of every wrongdoing others have done against you, your reflections and lessons learned from that, and how you’re moving forward.

As you might guess, it’s a painful process. I was feeling a lot of resistance. So, I decided to do something else. I was excited and yet a little scared. Regardless, I chose to go on a backpacking trip alone. I wanted to make it a fun experience and remove any distractions so I could get it done.

On the first day, I found myself hiking through a lot of burnt-down forest. It was sad to see all that the fires had destroyed. But I could also see new growth. New life. As I continued to hike, I saw so many beautiful lakes. Given how this inventory would require a great deal of self-reflection, I began looking at the lakes like mirrors. It felt like I was in exactly the right place at the right moment.

I stopped for lunch on a stunning lake. I pressed on to my first night’s campsite on another magical lake. That first night, other people were camping around me, but not many—only a few small groups and couples. My biggest fear, going backpacking alone, was being alone. Alone with myself and alone with my anxious thoughts and mind chatter. I was worried I couldn’t handle it and wouldn’t have an escape.

I needed to face the fear head-on to feel like I was whole again. I could handle anything life threw at me. So, I chose a campsite away from the others to experience it. And you know what? It wasn’t bad. In fact, I finally got started on my inventory. And because there weren’t any distractions, it was easy.

The next morning, I got up and made coffee and breakfast. Then I pressed on. I had a thirty-five-mile loop planned for my three-day quest with many lakes and mountains to see and explore.

Day two was even more stunning. I had made it past the edge of where the fire occurred and was in a luscious forest with deep greens all around. The lakes in that part of the park were even more stunning as the water reflected shades of green from the healthy trees.

Thank you, God! I soaked up the beauty and was so grateful I made the trip. It was exactly what I needed. As I hiked on, I realized I hadn’t seen another human all day long. At first, it felt a little alarming. But as I pressed on, I realized how much I enjoyed being deep in nature alone. It’s an entirely different experience. You see more, hear more, smell more, and feel more.

Sitting by the lake, I could feel the gentle breeze brushing against my face. I could smell the fresh dew on the ground—that fresh morning scent where you can smell the greenery around you, alive and magnificent—the silence of nature. Only the chirping of birds letting you know it’s the start of a new day. The light rustling of trees as they sway in the breeze, dancing to nature’s rhythm.

As I watched the sunrise, I saw the beautiful shimmer and reflection of light across the stillness of the lake. The reflection created a stunning mirror of the world. I could see the trees reflected in the still lake. And when I leaned over, I could see myself.

Sitting back down, I thought to myself . . .

I feel so much more grounded, clear, and peaceful. Nature is so healing and perfect. I can breathe again. I feel at home. It feels as if God or the universe is giving me a huge hug, reminding me that this is where I need to come to feel safe and at home. My senses are heightened.

I love that I can enjoy silence and solitude. I can work on healing from within in this space. Getting away from the noise of the world is so essential to true healing. Now, I can really dig in and get to the root of what I need to transform and heal. I must do this more often. I must keep this in my arsenal for healing.

I highly recommend forest bathing, hiking, or backpacking solo in nature if you love the outdoors. Give it a try. See what it opens in your world.

As I pressed on to my second campsite, I came across an even more beautiful lake. I found the perfect spot near the lake to set up camp. After setting up, I decided to read and journal a bit more while having a small snack. I can’t describe how grateful I was to be in that amazing location alone.

After a bit, I noticed a group of guys had set up camp way down on the other side of the lake. A little bit later, one of them began shouting at me. I thought they were saying hello, so I called Hello back. They continued shouting something, but I still couldn’t hear. So, I said, I’ll come over and say hi in a little bit.

But they shouted once more, and that time, I heard them. My heart stopped. He shouted, Lady, there’s a bear near your camp!

I looked to my right at the sandbank strip less than a quarter-mile from me. Sure enough, there was a big cinnamon mamma bear. She hadn’t seen me yet.

I left all my things and very slowly and carefully backed my way over to the guy’s campsite. I said, "Thank you so much! Can you please help me go over to get my things from my campsite? I can’t do it alone. I know we need to make a lot of noise and stick together in a group