For some time now I've intended to make Wellness Wednesday part of my posting regime. Health and healing have been central to my life for decades, but sharing my journey from excellent health to physical collapse and back again doesn't come easy to me. I sense today will be no exception since I've been sitting in front of the computer staring at the logo for more than 15 minutes without typing a word. I've done this repeatedly during the past 4 months, and invariably "dump" the post rather than publish it. I'm hopeful today will be different. We shall see.
I've always been a private person and, for the most part, my posts offer mere glimpses of who I am beneath the surface of the "competent capable woman" I was carefully taught to be; however there are bits and pieces of my life experience scattered about. In 101 Things About Myself, I mention "weight-related" issues in #31-32, "health-related" issues in #38-41, "emotionally-challenging" life issues in #30, 33-37, 61-64, and on Day 17 of My Sacred Life in Allowing Myself to Receive, I write of how I learned eventually to admit I needed and to accept help from friends. Finally, the Visual Poetry piece presents a rather specific "spiritual" picture of me.
These days I see physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual issues as integrally related and seek balance in all things, realizing that "the center is not always the point of balance" ... but rather in the place where "there is no conflict and everything rests without strain" as I wrote about on Day 19 of My Sacred Life. I've read widely on the mind-body connection and believe I'm able to live healthily because of what I learned from authors like Louise Hay, Joan Borysenko, Christianne Northrop, and Merriam Nelson. For my T-13 at Small Reflections last week I posted Thirteen Healing Affirmations from Louise Hay's book, YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE. Tomorrow I intend to share more of her ideas that I believe have helped me. (See T-13 #12 Healing Beliefs).
In closing this first Wellness Wednesday post, I would add that I've been a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers for more than 21 years ... currently close to (but not quite at) goal weight, so I'm paying for the privilege of attending meetings until I'm back to goal. I've belonged to a local women's gym for more than a decade for "weight training" to maintain "bone density" and I walk with my 3 year-old Labrador Retriever Molly daily for "cardio" exercise. I've avoided all kinds of "fast food" for the last 20 years or so, buy "organic" foods where possible, drink plenty of water, and generally eat healthily. My one lingering "vice" is coffee (with half & half), but I mix decaf & regular beans 50-50 in the morning and drink decaf only when I have coffee in the afternoon occasionally with friends.
So ... now that I've got a "baseline" post about my "wellness" ... I'm hoping to make this a regular topic here at Sacred Ruminations as I continue to visit others who participate in this activity.
Affirmation for Today
from Louise Hay
In the infinity of life where I am,
all is perfect, whole and complete.
I recognize my body as a good friend.
Each cell in my body has Divine Intelligence.
I listen to what it tells me,
and know that its advice is valid.
I am always safe,
Divinely protected and guided.
I choose to be healthy and free.
All is well in my world.
5 comments:
I've just begun to make some of the changes you've already made. The Rice Diet.. a modified version.. and cutting out unhealthy cr*p (in all manifestations) as much as humanly possible.
I also participate in Wellness Wednesday, alternating with Julie's roundtable.
I'll make it a point to check here on Wednesdays, too :)
"well" done!!! that wellness thing is so important and it doesn't just apply to physical health as you have stated. i was talking with my chiropractor this morning about how easily we can slip out of balance, slowly, but surely and then wonder how we got there. this lenten season has been a time for me to reconnect with body, mind and soul. or as i am calling it for now, "my vessel." little changes shifting back toward a healthier me :-)
It's all connected--mind, body, spirit--and I'm more firmly believing that with each passing day. While definitions of wellness vary, no doubt, from person to person, it's important that we ALL respect these sacred parts of our being.
being a private person myself, I totally understand this post and the courage it takes to speak these things out loud.
I have had and still have my own journey toward better health...one that I've been walking my entire life. (sometimes in the right direction, so sometimes not).
But I think that it becomes easier to talk about our own journeys when we remember that they are our journeys and that no one can try to walk them for us. All we can do is try to help those around us understand where we are and how they can choose to support us, or why we have to become distant if they choose not to.
My wish for all of us is that this year brings about the quiet times needed to sit and focus on and nurture the health that is inside us all, and that we have the courage and stamina to continue walking in a good direction.
What a pleasant surprise to find your supportive comments on this post as I clear out my g-mail box this afternoon.
Chani – I’m happy you’re still posting publically on your blog and hope you feel better soon. I’ll do my best to remember to visit you on Wednesdays too.
Lucy – Thanks … it seems many of us are seeking balance among the various parts of ourselves … seeking health and well being in our own ways.
Karen – Absolutely! Integrating the whole seems crucial and it’s comforting to have support along the way.
Ladybug – It seems many of us are engaged in this process and I sincerely appreciate your heartfelt acknowledgment, encouragement, and support today.
I’m so happy to be joined with each of you in a journey to wellness and wholeness.
Hugs and blessings,
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