Turning Inward
Why is it so hard to turn inward during the time of year when nature intended us to? Once again, I seem to have overbooked myself this holiday season. Sure, it is with good stuff - but I'm still overbooked.
See, I need to work as much as possible to pay for travel and gifts. And then I need to find the time to go out and buy gifts. Oh, I also have the holiday parties, holiday concerts, and suppers to try to attend. Sound familiar?
My calendar is pretty much booked straight through until 2015! Every time I take out my calendar to look at it, I literally feel my breath start to shorten, my shoulders crunch up, my heart start to beat a bit faster, and my jaw clench. Suddenly I am not looking forward to anything except the promise of next year. And that isn't living in the present is it?!
I just have to take a moment to point out that we are coming upon the winter season. Winter is cold, dark, wet, and heavy. The rest of nature has lost it's leaves, gathered food, grown thicker layers, and turned in for the season (or at least slowed down). How well we prepare for winter will affect how well we bloom in spring. If you want to try to prevent allergies, colds, and the build up of mucous from taking over your life then ~ you must start by taking care of yourself now.
So….I am making a commitment to taking care of myself. The other evening I could feel myself overextended. I was extremely tired, my nose was runny, and I had a slight headache (all the things my body tells me before I get sick). I was supposed to be getting ready for a friends concert and said to myself "No, I need to take care of myself." Of course it sucked to not see this concert that I had been looking forward to, but my body PAAASSSSED OUT at 8pm and I slept for 9 hours! I woke up feeling refreshed and like my body was nourished, not depleted (as I am sure if would have after a night out and maybe 6 hours of sleep).
I am trying to take time every day to do some type of physical practice. Nothing strenuous. That is not what our bodies need right now. But rather, walking in the neighborhood, a gentler yoga practice, stretching my muscles out, swimming, etc.... Anything that moves my body, but stays away from using all of my energy leaving me with nothing left after I exercise.
Other things I will try to add in and so can you should you feel so inspired...
- Sleep for 8 hours every night!
- Taking a hot bath
- Sit for 5 minutes, close your eyes, and breath deeply
- Give yourself a massage (steps how to)
- Having a cup of chamomile tea every night before bed (chamomile is calming)
- Taking time to read a book or magazine
- Lie on your back with your shins on a chair, couch, or coffee table for 5 min.
- and so many more….
Find things you enjoy. That calm, nurture, and warm you. I have even put a few of these things in my calendar so that now when I look at my calendar, instead of only seeing "to do's" - I physically see that "Oh, that's right. Tonight I am taking a hot bath." Suddenly looking at my calendar isn't as stressful!
In order for me to come to this season with light and love, I have to remember to take care of myself along the way. I have been working on this for about 3 years and I am getting better at it every year. I still have a bit to go, but hey - I'm all about baby steps :-)
This is my wish for all of you this holiday season:
May you be well.
May you be peaceful and at ease.
And may you be happy!
Those of you I won't see this holiday season - well I hope to see you next year!
always,
christel joy
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
"Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone.The wisdom of life consists in the illumination of nonessentials."
Lin Yutang