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Thursday, November 29, 2007

Tools for Gaining Essential Wisdom: body guidance.

I believe our wisdom is close at hand, right within us, and very doable.

You don't need a book to tell you how to tune in. You need to learn how to live close to the body/belly/heart triangle.

If we can listen to our need for rest, food, inner peace, we can give ourselves the healing we need. In my experience, this involves trusting myself, and knowing that I am enough. I have enough. I do enough - stop the worrying and the rushing and let the Universe take care of things.

This is my challenge, and I share it with you because it is simple, if not easy, to start following your body's guidance right now. The motto is, keep it simple.
(For example, the first rule is so simple, you'll laugh. But it has been trained out of us since childhood.)

l. Eat when you are hungry. Enjoy your food sitting down and notice when you feel satisfied. If you are really adventurous, let yourself be served once a week. (I am loving this last one)

2. Sleep when you are tired. Take naps whenever possible. Set your body clock by going to bed at a reasonable hour. Can you find your own need for rest?

3. Strike two items off your to-do list every day and be happy with that. Do not be a slave to ‘getting it all done’.

4. Take time to sit in silence once a day to center yourself in the breath. Make inner peace a priority.

5. Stretch, shake your body, dance, do yoga, walk, or move a new muscle. Wake up your body every day.

6. Go pee when you have to – respond to the first call. This is harder than it sounds.

7. When you have your monthly period, give yourself what you need – either rest or exercise. PMS is the result of not listening to your body guidance. Sit with your center and find time to relax. Hot water bottle or pilates? Your gut will guide you. This is your time to be alone; your intuition is stronger now. Pay attention.

I have found, that when I learn to take care of myself, and treat my body less harshly, more lovingly, I naturally become less harsh and more loving to others.

Above all, be kind to yourself. Balance effort with relaxation. Learn compassion for yourself. And remember, whatever I bless flourishes, whatever I criticize falters. (from the Woman's Belly Book)

ps I am trying to put these into practice, one day at a time. As a confirmed 'woman who does too much' and chronic worrier, this is also my antidote to stress.

may life bless you,
musemother
(with thanks to all the women who have inspired me:
Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Joan Borysenko, Jean Shinoda Bolen,
Marion Woodman and to Maharaji for showing me the address
of peace within).

10 comments:

bella said...

Eating when I'm hungry has taken me years to learn, to do.
Having a child helped. In feeding him, I taught myself how to eat.
Excellent list. Simple and so very needed.

Creative Soulful Woman said...

my personal challenge is going pee when I have to. always a few things to finish off first, then I'll go....
having kids has helped, yes, in that I eat snacks with them after school to tide me till supper. But also, having kids makes one eat standing up at the counter while doing 3 other things on the way out the door to a doctor's appointment....I have to remind myself to sit and eat. But I may just be abnormally hyperactive...
jenn

Anonymous said...

Great list. Productive and self-affirming. Good to print out and keep handy as a daily reminder. Thanxx!

Everything good to you, musemother.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic list. This was my year to start sleeping when I need to...no more up all night reading one more blog and one more. Now I awaken at dawn refreshed and so glad I went to bed early. My next goal is remembering to stretch or exercise or shake my body more. Swimming or yoga would be good.

Sherry said...

Jenn, I am so delighted that you found me through Bella. I have been reading through your blogs and am amazed at how comfortable and at home I feel here. You offer the words that speak directly to me and this is such a blessing!!!

Go pee when you have to ... sure it sounds easy, but you're right...it's not easy to do and we tend not to heed that first call.

I'm all about mind/body/spirit now for wellness and am delighted to know that I can come here for daily refreshment!

Diane O'Connor said...

Really really good advice. I love keeping it simple. And just what I needed to hear right now after a stressful night!
diane

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting on my blog today. Not only for the validation and support you offered to me, but because I found you. Your wisdom and experience and path to loving yourself is an inspiration. I'll be back here often.

Creative Soulful Woman said...

Dear new readers and readers who return, I feel so blessed that this blog is touching other woman. I feel so grounded today by all this feedback - it is exactly what I need to help me focus on my writing projects (which lay dormant during my erratical sabbatical, or year of doing (almost) nothing). truth is, I am needing validation, an audience of like-minded women/mothers who write and read, women like yourselves who have blessed my blog with your presence. I so enjoy reading all of you too! but neck issues keep me off the computer for too long.
have a sweet end of November, and wish me luck on my Christmas concert tomorrow night! maybe I'll relax once that is done.
luv
jenn

Mary Ann said...

Excellent list. I'm glad you visited my blog today so that I could find yours.

I'm going to go to sleep now because I'm tired. Love the idea.

Tracy said...

Such beautiful words of of wisdom! I need to heed the advice.