“Follow your passion; live your dream,” says herbalist and natural health practitioner Rachel Beck, who is the Creston and District Public Library’s living book for April, where she presents her story, “From City Chick to Country Hick”.
In the late 1980s, the West Coast government consultant envisioned a future of Porsches and penthouses when sudden health concerns drove her in search of natural solutions. Who knew a passion for natural medicine and country living would be the result?
Ten years later, with a formal education in natural medicine, clinical herbalism and homeopathy under her belt, Beck followed her heart to paradise — the Creston Valley — where she now teaches herbal medicine and has a natural healthcare private practice. Beck is in high demand as a lecturer on natural medicine and the uses of herbs, at colleges and community events. She writes articles on natural health-related topics for magazines, and produces medicinal herbal products, herbal cosmetics and soaps.
Turning a passion into a career was a long road but well worth the journey, says Beck.
“Not everyone is fortunate enough to make a living doing something they love, but I encourage anyone to try and make it happen.”
This city chick has found contentment as a country hick, living a simpler life following her dream.
The Creston and District Public Library’s Living Books speaker series is a way for community members to learn from each other. Living “books” are real people, your friends and neighbours, volunteering to share aspects of their own story. Through living books, the library seeks to encourage the sharing of knowledge and passion among community members.
Each month the library hosts a get-together where a member of your community shares their personal experiences. Topics are as varied as the people who share them, from art to travel to local history to coping with loss and everything in between. Attendees of the speaker series learn more about the people in their community and their diverse backgrounds and expertise.
Hear Beck’s story of how she followed her heart to paradise at 1:30 p.m. April 27at the library (531 16th Ave. S.). Admission is free. For more information on the Living Books speaker series, including upcoming living books or how to become a living book, please contact Gail at 250-428-4141 or email gail@crestonlibrary.com.
—CRESTON AND DISTRICT PUBLIC LIBRARY