Washing my worries away

 

Yesterday I had a lot on my mind, and I was worrying over a particular situation.  Intellectually I know that worrying doesn't solve anything, but sometimes I'm a real expert in doing it anyway. That said, one thing that takes all the worrying in the world away for me is to be  engulfed by water.  So that is what I made possible yesterday.

As soon as my body was embraced by the cool water, all the worries were literally washed away.  I was in the now, and my mind was clear.  With every stroke I emptied myself of all worrisome thoughts.  My heart opened up, and I felt free.  Free from unwanted thoughts and feelings.  I was free to breathe with ease again.  The water is my healing source for both mind, body and soul.  What is yours?

Hello June!

I was walking along the beach for exercise, and the ocean had its pull on me.

I hadn't brought any swimsuit or a towel, but that didn't stop me.  An ocean is always irresistible regardless of convenience.  The beautiful mystery of the waves is like a lover calling my name.  I had to respond.

Walking above the clouds

Last night after dinner I realized that the day had passed me by without me doing what I was writing about the other day.  That movement is vital.  So to practice what I preach, I put on my running shoes despite some physical discomfort.  Not to go for a run but to go for a walk that would make my heart pump.

That's the beauty of living on a mountain, I just picked the steep path up the mountain and my heart started to beat like a hammer within.  This is what I need, I thought with every step that I was pushing through to make it to the top.  Last night's walk became so much more than exercise though.

Nearing the top of the mountain I witnessed something for the first time.  I was already  out of breath, but the view that emerged in front of me literally took my breath away.  For the first time in my life I was walking above the clouds.

I was mesmerized and so grateful to be alive to witness this beautiful sight.  I still am.

Movement is vital

 

Sitting here taking the morning in, I realize what I need to do next.  To lift my lazy b**t off the chair and go for a walk. Why?  Because "movement is vital", as one great doctor told me.  Some days it's easier said than done, but I know in my heart that the doctor is right.  So instead of taking a pill, I'm taking a walk.  Movement is vital.

Pacing myself

What does listening to your body mean?  For me, it is paying attention to the sensations that are both physical and emotional within my body.  Sometimes the sensations are somewhat intricate and small, and at other times they are large noicy symptoms.  The trick is to listen and pay attention. Many of us are brought up with the notion to "toughen it out" if something feels uncomfortable, may it be physical or emotional.  That can be like driving your car straight through a stop sign, instead of stopping and paying attention before continuing.  So stop for a moment and notice what your body is telling you.  Otherwise a crash could be the consequence.

I've learned the hard way that I often listen to my body afterwards, when it is too late.  I am by then so depleted of energy that I can barely function.  The key is to stop in time.  I know that I need to move through life in a slow pace.  With every activity, I need time to rest until I'm ready to get going again.

In the moments when I feel well, I get caught up in how wonderful it is to be active out there in the world.  If I don't pay close attention when my energy is running low, I might pay for it for days.  Like this past weekend for example.  I felt stronger so I went for walks, out for lunch, and to an event.  That could be nothing for a lot of people.  For me (and other people) that is battling a chronic illness, that was a lot.  By Monday I could hardly get out of bed.  Why?  Because I hadn't listen to my body in time.  My whole body was screaming to slow down several times, but I was deaf at the moment.  Only to really hear what my body needed afterwards.

Now I am giving my body plenty of rest, and mixing in some gentle yoga stretches, reading, writing, and going for short walks with my dog.  Movement is vital and so is rest.  It just needs to be the perfect balance between the two, and it is different for every person.

I am slowly finding the rhythm that works for me.  It is a stop-and-go-stop-and-go rhythm.  Which rhythm in life works best for you?