Nicole Serafin - Powerhouse of a Woman
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NAME: Nicole Serafin
AGE: 44 LOCATION: Tintenbar, NSW, Australia Hairdresser, wife, mother If someone had told me I would be married, with three amazingly awesome children, a beautiful gentle husband and a career that has supported me to grow and learn more than I could have ever imagined, I would never have believed them.
At 44 years of age I feel like I have lived many life-times all rolled into one –beginning my life born into a working class family in Sydney who supported me in whatever way they could, encouraging me to believe in myself, to work towards whatever I wanted, setting boundaries and foundations, some of which I carry with me today, and some of which I have let go of and re-established for myself.
The choice to enter into a career as a hairdresser was not something I gave a lot of thought to. I came home one day at the age of 12 and announced I wanted to be a hairdresser, so with that my mum called her aunty who was open to putting me on as a junior casual hairdresser working Saturdays and Thursday evenings. This soon expanded into school holidays and any other chance I got. I absolutely loved it, my expression shone through and I could connect with people in a way I had never felt confident about before
After two years of part-time work I decided to leave school and get an apprenticeship, being given two weeks to find one or go back to school. I was a very determined young woman, so within the week I had a full time job as an apprentice hairdresser. It had its ups and downs, long hours, low income, hard on the body, but I loved it, the creativity, the colour, the connection, it all came naturally to me without any struggle, it felt like a natural extension of who I was.
Completing my apprenticeship, as well as other in-depth hair and beauty courses, I went on to manage several salons before moving into owning my own businesses, offering both hair, nail and beauty services. It was hard on the body, long hours on your feet with little and sometimes no time for breaks, all by my own choice of course – my level of self-care and self-worth were certainly not at the level and depth that they are today.
Burning the candle at both ends, working in the salon through the day, fashion shoots and parades at night, I was often surviving on 2-3 hours sleep a night after a few champagnes or joints to end the night.
I was not at all surprised when my body finally gave in, it had tried a few times previously, but of course I pushed through, dealing with life on a superficial level, getting just enough rest or medical support to keep going.
Eventually I could no longer push through, struggling to get up in the mornings, exhausted, with no amount of sleep or rest making any impact. Then came the joint pain, often so excruciating I could barely walk. Undiagnosed for several years, barely existing, having to sell my salon, rent out my house and move into my mother’s garage I had had enough. I was feeling tired, overwhelmed, unsupported and frustrated, after being told I need to learn to manage my condition. Fifteen years ago not a lot was known about this disease, which was eventually labelled as Fibromyalgia, nor was it widely recognised as a disease or illness.
From the outside and at first glance, many people suffering with this illness, appear to be normally healthy, but if you take the time to get to know them, spend time with them you begin to discover they are not well. They push themselves through life, finding it difficult to admit defeat, because for some that is exactly what it feels like, as if you have been defeated by life.
And for me, a strong, independent young businesswoman, who never gave up or in when it came to anything, I found it very difficult to admit to or accept this is how my life was.
I had been given the number of a health care practitioner in the Lismore area by an old client who had watched my health, wellbeing and vitality slowly dwindle away. So, with nothing to lose I took the plunge and made the call to Serge Benhayon at Universal Medicine.
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Nicole Serafin
From my very first meeting with Serge I knew my life was about to change, in every single way I had ever known it to be. I still remember the day as if it was yesterday, and in fact it was over fifteen years ago, and here I sit today 44 years old, full of vitality, living a life of true health and well-being with three amazing gorgeous children, a gorgeous gentle husband and forever grateful for the ongoing love, dedication, support and commitment Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine offer and share.
It is because of this forever support I have returned to the hairdressing industry, re-opening a salon and working in way I have never worked before, learning how to hold myself, listening to my body – when to rest, the way to dress, the type of shoes to wear that will best support me – which in truth it has always done, the difference now being I actually stop to listen and feel what is being shared.
I made the choice to walk the path back to living a true life, which for me meant feeling how the choices I had made impacted on me, my body and my life. It was all rolled into one, work, home, family, everything was the same, only I had kept everything in little pockets, wearing a different hat depending on what role I was playing. And let me tell you I had created many roles in my life to get by, exist and not have to feel the way I was living, or what was going on, in, and around me
The presentations of Universal Medicine have supported me to live me, to stop and reconnect to my body, to feel and take responsibility for my choices and how they impact on not only me, but on everyone and everything. The tools that are presented through the workshops, seminars and sessions are hugely supportive and for me a big part of my life. I dedicate my time to living in a way that is supportive, loving and nurturing, developing a routine and rhythm that allows me to feel how I move, if my body is flowing or if there a part of it that is stiff, holding, tight, am I breathing gently, or is there a raciness to my breath.
There have been so many changes in my life, and I know I am nowhere near finished, nor do I want to be. It is an ever-expanding and unfolding journey of life, a life that has more space, time and vitality than ever before.
Working as a volunteer on many community based projects, I am always eager to support wherever I can, constantly using my skills as a professional, a woman, wife, mother, in whatever way I can.
It was a true blessing the day I was handed the card of Serge Benhayon, a name that will be forever remembered for the incredible dedication and commitment he has for humanity. He is unwavering with a level of integrity like that of no other, a true role model and inspiration for all.
To the woman that handed me the blue card with a ray of light, I thank you, and Serge Benhayon, Universal Medicine and the entire Benhayon family. Thank you, you have my deepest appreciation for all you live and breathe. |
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I have blossomed into a gorgeous amazing powerhouse of a woman, dedicated to living that in every breath, sharing what it is to live a life of truth and vitality with not only my immediate family, my extended family but all of humanity.
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