It Takes Time

Natural living, one step at a time

Navigation
  • Home
  • Natural Living
    • House
    • Beauty
    • Foodie
    • By Kids for Kids
  • DIY
  • Recipes
  • Natural Health
    • Dental
    • Gut Health
    • Detox
    • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Unseen Reality
    • Microbes & Mold
    • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • About Andrea

Those Crazy Mold People




Yum

March 3, 2014 by Andrea Fabry 1 Comment

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

One of the toughest parts of walking through the valley of mold exposure is explaining it to loved ones. Relationships can be strained, and friendships fractured. Those of us in the middle of the journey are vulnerable. Those who long to help are scratching their heads. I wrote the following to the second group who sincerely and deeply desire to help. I wrote it to myself as a reminder that everyone is running a race.

Help for the Onlooker:

Given the cloud of mystery and confusion that surrounds mold exposure, it must be tough to be in the support role. I can imagine your thoughts. Is mold really that bad? This has to be in their heads. Surely, there’s a better way to fix all of this.

I understand. I would have the same thoughts if I were in your shoes. In fact, our family of 11 lost our house and health to mold, and I have said those same things to myself! But the reality of toxic mold and the resulting chronic illness is simply this: It is that bad.

This is what makes it so hard for you as an onlooker. You’re powerless to fix it. While this is difficult to accept, it also takes the pressure off. It’s way bigger than you. You don’t have to be the one to “pour bleach” on the problem. Bleach doesn’t kill the toxins anyway. So where does that leave you as your loved one struggles with direction and decisions?

If you have a heart to help, and you must if you’re reading this, let me offer this word picture.

The person who is on a mold journey has unwillingly and with no prior training entered a 300 mile super-triathalon event. The race is not just swimming, running, and biking. It’s mountain climbing as well. The added challenge? The race goes through the night. The participants rest during the day and race when it’s darkest.

How would you cheer them on at mile 35?

Or mile 285?

My guess is you would not say things like:

“Just get that left knee a little higher.”

“I don’t understand why you’re in this race.”

“Why don’t you try lengthening your stride?”

You wouldn’t be on the sidelines at 2:00 in the morning to offer suggestions. You’d be cheering them on. I know you would because you took the time to come to the race.

You’d be yelling, “Keep going! You’re doing great!”

And if they made a mistake? Or fell down? I know what you’d say.

“It’s OK!”

“Way to get back up!”

“Hang in there!”

We all need coaches. People who know the sport and understand the race. But when the competitor rounds that corner or stares at that next mountain, there’s nothing like the cheers of the crowd.

Help for the Participant

If you’re running the “toxic mold race” and feeling alone and misunderstood – keep running. Don’t wait for onlookers to say the right thing or to understand. Your job is to take the next step and remind yourself that you’re doing the very best you can.

Filed Under: Mold and Microbes Tagged With: relationships, toxic mold

« DIY Hair Rinse and Skin Toner
Avocado Ice Cream Cake »

Comments

  1. Susan says

    July 22, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    Well written article. Appreciate your sentiments in encouraging the on-lookers to be supportive in useful ways, rather than judging, minimizing, etc. Think I’ll print a copy out & leave it for my employer and co-workers to “find”!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MEET ANDREA

I am a certified Building Biology Advocate, a former journalist, mother of nine, and avid CrossFitter who likes to think outside the box. After our family's health crisis in 2008, I learned to ask questions about what's in our food, our water, and our air. I hope to empower you as you seek to live safely in a complex world. Thankfully, small steps lead to big changes. Let's travel this road together, one step at a time.

Follow

Now Available on Amazon

10 Things I’ve Learned (The Hard Way)

1. The answer may be right in front of you.
2. Time is often the best medicine.
3. Speak kindly to yourself.
4. The air we breathe matters.
5. It's better to know than not know.
6. Relinquishment is a balm for the soul.
7. Symptoms will instruct if we listen.
8. Sometimes you're the expert.
9. Allow hindsight to move you forward.
10. The next step is enough.

The Connecting Place Latest Episode

Listen to "Behind the Scenes: Mold Questions" on Spreaker.

Popular Posts

Allergy-friendly Tiger Nuts – Health Food Gems

DIY Automatic Dishwasher Tablets

Looking for safe products?

Natural Living

Are you learning to cook with real food? Clean without chemicals? Use safer products on your skin? Natural living is fun and rewarding. Come join the fun!

Copyright 2023 It Takes Time - Andrea Fabry