Living at YES! Success Stories Archive

YES! stands for You Embracing Spirit!
In the LOGO, notice the symbol for the "Y" is a heart.
When you embrace Spirit - your heart is opened!

Reclaiming the Joyous, Creative Child Within -- Holly Hill

Holly is a talented graphic artist. She designed the Living at YES! LOGO, and the book covers for 2 of my books. To learn more about Holly, her healing methods or her artistic services click on the image or email Holly at choice4luv@aol.com

When you meet Holly Hill, you can't help but smile. The effervescent 56-year old artist has the smile and vitality of someone half her age. Her apartment reflects the "treasures" she's discovered along her many hikes around the area. Pinecones, twigs wrapped with shimmering ribbon and scraps of paper with half-written notes, among other trinkets, adorn almost every corner of the cozy one bedroom abode, interspersed with some of her original artwork. "Oh, this is a rock I found near Fort Hunter- and this "Exit" sign? I found it in a field where I was hiking - I just loved the look of it, don't you!? Oh, and did you like the cover design of Sharon's new book? I had such a fun time creating it!" Listening to her now, it's hard to believe Hill was once a raging alcoholic and once an unhappy wife and mother.

"I was out of control. Rage overtook me on a daily basis. I abused myself with alcohol, I physically and emotionally abused my children, and I existed as a mere shell in my marriage." However, to the outside world, everything appeared picturesque. "I was a stay at home "soccer mom," made crafts with my daughters, hosted a ton of slumber parties, baked, etc. We were the "All American Family." In reality, I was mirroring the dysfunction of my childhood. Same behavior, different decade and body." Rather than dealing with her past issues, Holly threw herself into being a wife and mother. "My eldest daughter is hearing-impaired and had over 14 surgeries, so my life completely revolved around my family. While I enjoyed my role as a mother, I never really learned how to be a true nurturer, because I had never experienced that in my childhood. So I "faked it" for as long as I could by using alcohol and rage as a "crutch." When it got to the point I wanted to leave the planet, I knew I was at a choice point." Holly entered a treatment program for co- dependency when she was 39. "Our insurance didn't cover it, only I didn't know that at the time. It was the only time my husband ever lied to me, when he told me that it would all be covered- and to this day, I am so glad he did. It was the beginning of my awakening and my new life."

As Holly grew within herself, the void in her marriage also grew. "I began dealing with my issues- so my behavior was changing. I started training in a martial arts program, entered therapy sessions and became interested in the healing arts. With each new step I took, our marriage took two steps back. Although he was supportive of my recovery- he didn't know how to deal with the new, evolving me- because he had always been the rescuer and provider." Eventually, Holly and her husband "unmarried" as she likes to term it. because "divorce is such a negative word!" she exclaims.

In 2000, Holly, then 51, moved out of the home she had shared with her husband and almost-grown children, began to travel and discovered a new world for herself in the healing arts. It was during this time she met Sharon Marquart. "I was back in PA from a year-long trip to Arizona and was staying at a boarding house- and the owner knew Sharon. Although I was on my healing journey, I was just beginning to really live at choice vs. merely survive. I attended one of Sharon's healing circles, and it became another "turning point" for me. I received so much from the other people in the group- we shared our stories, reflected back to each other – it was support like I never had before – different than the help I received in therapy and in the treatment center. This circle was ALIVE! And I felt every vibration. It was so uplifting, positive and energizing! I would leave feeling so charged. But what really grounded me was Sharon's ability to keep things "real" and balanced amidst the energy – so emotions didn't spiral out of control one way or the other. In fact, I found her suggestions and insight so helpful I decided to seek individual sessions with her- and that has made such a difference in my life." Holly credits Sharon with having "incredible insight, intuitiveness, and having the ability to sift through the "stuff" to get to the real issue." "Sharon doesn't let you get caught up in anything other than the issue at hand. She listens, and then has this amazing ability to interpret your block and offer suggestions for moving forward. She has been an instrumental part of my healing journey- and continues to do so. I have learned to embrace life and live at gratitude as a result of working with her."

Holly's efforts have paid off and her journey has come full circle. In addition to graphic design, she recently got a job with the PA Department of Public Welfare- a job she "wholeheartedly loves." "I get to help people with real issues- it is so rewarding!" Having fully embraced her healing journey with the help of Sharon and others she has met along the way, Holly has now been "guided" to help others heal through Signature Cell Healing, a hands-on energy modality that begins at the "signature cell" or pituitary gland- and allows golden, healing light to flow throughout the body through a series of guided breathing and meditative techniques. "My goal is to continue my journey as a healer in Hawaii one day. I mean, how fantastic is THAT! Can you imagine the trinkets I'd find during my hikes THERE!?" she exclaims and smiles with child-like wonder. It is a smile that makes you want to pack your backpack and tag along on her next "treasure hunt" to discover, as she does, the wonder of the journey of life each and every day.

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