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Take Care.
I just made myself a cup of steaming hot water with lemon and honey. I poured the water into my “Pancake Man” thick ceramic mug, cut fat chunks of the lemon that my son had picked from a friend’s tree, dripped in some blueberry-laced honey from Maine, and delighted in some slow sipping.
It’s such a simple thing, but I notice how good it feels to take care of myself.
I’m on the verge of getting sick, so I’m taking hot baths, going to bed early and eating well. I’m allowing myself to move slowly and not make plans. And while doing all of this, I’m thinking, “Why does it take feeling sick in order for me to pay attention to my body?”
A few months ago I threw my back out and could barely walk or stand for several days. During that time, I saw so clearly how I take my body for granted. I push it like it’s a machine that I have no personal connection to. Feed it. Bathe it. Let it rest a little. Then move, move, move, move! Faster!
When my back was out, I vowed that I was going to take better care of myself. I remember thinking that nothing (except for my son!) was more important than my health. I started reading about alkalines and PH balance. I pulled out all my yoga books and mapped out a daily home practice. I found recipes for beets and chard and red quinoa. I bought some soothing lavender bath salts. I soaked the skins off my almonds. I was determined not to take my body for granted ever again.
But here I am, several months later, realizing that I haven’t been to a yoga class in two weeks. And all last week I was working at the computer until late at night and then jumping right back on first thing. The cat was sick and I was rushing my son to the orthodontist and rushing to meet deadlines. Thank you cards needed written. Train tickets bought. There. Was. No. Time. For. Me. Or, rather, I didn’t make time.
Somewhere in between all of that stuff-of-life, I simply forgot that this body needs more than cursory feedings and a little sleep each night. It requires care and comfort.
As I write this I am suddenly reminded that when my back went out, I made a list of ways to comfort my body that didn’t involve chocolate, popcorn, coffee, or bread – my usual list of ways to take care of myself. Hold on while I go track down that list. Maybe it is a clue as to where this article is headed!
So here is my list of ways to comfort my body that don’t involve food:
Aha. I get it. Being reminded of this list must be the point of this piece. I’m going to print out this list and post it someplace where I can see it daily and choose ways to soothe. I want to offer myself care and attention, even when my body isn’t screaming for it.
What about you? What might be on your list? Can you treat yourself to some daily comforts? (Hint: this might be especially important as we head into the hectic holiday season!) Also, consider joining us for our December Lively Conversation with Sydney Ashland, a medical intuitive and energetic practitioner who'll be talking about the body's energetic system and how to stay connected and healthy.
Take good care …
Sherry
P.S. I want to thank the folks who took time to write to me last month after my piece on Waking Up with Monkey Mind. Turns out that lots of people wake up into anxiety. And I received some great suggestions for how to deal with it: exercising first thing, meditating, spending time with family or friends, dancing to really fun music, doing something physical -- especially something that goes beyond what you think you can do, staying still and listening to the voices in your head -- and seeing how ridiculous they are, using a natural alarm that wakes you gently, and deliberately looking for joy first thing when you awaken. I'm grateful for the comments folks sent in; it means a lot to me to connect with you.
Scroll down to find out more about the Come to Your Senses section of Simply Celebrate's Vitality Salon, which offers lots of ways to experience joy. Further down you can learn about our upcoming Lively Conversation focused on the energy of the body...
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