This sounds about right. Actually, it really is the truth. How do I know? Well, I have done some very necessary energy healing on this gut-healing journey of mine. As I've mentioned before, this journey doesn't come without an emotional toll. Fortunately, the reiki master (practicer of energy medicine) who I see is a longtime family friend and practically a second mother to me. Back to my main point- my liver, lung, stomach, heart, and kidney meridians are always the weakest or need the most balancing/strengthening/sedating. Simply put, those meridians are typically effed. Or, at least they were towards the beginning of this healing journey. When I was angry, my liver would need work. When I was grieving the loss of important, loved people in my life- my lung needed work. So on and so forth. I'm in a much better place now, though. It wasn't until recently that I was able to sit back and take a look at everything that's happening in my life and say out loud, "if certain things in my life didn't fall apart when they did, I would not be on this self-loving journey of health, traveling, and unconditional compassion." While this epiphany may not mean jack to a stranger reading this post, it means the world to me. Sometimes in the midst of absolute pain and grief, we can't seem to wrap our minds around the "why" and "how" of things. When we're in that place of hopelessness we "know" that there will never be a reason why the shitty things have to happen. The truth is, there is a reason. This past year has taught me that life doesn't take your plans into consideration. It plows through your front door, knocks you on your ass and leaves you lost on the corner of, "how the fuck did I get here?" and "my life is supposed to be different." Live presently to avoid turmoil within (aka effed energy). We are only able to be right here, right now anyway- in a moment so fleeting that it's gone before we've even had a chance to be mindful of it. Be mindful. Your soul will thrive for it.
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Life isn't easy. My theory is that it shouldn't be. If life is easy for someone, chances are they aren't really living. By this I mean that they're not learning from mistakes, hardship, and challenge that life often brings with it. Those who have seen a lot of life are among the strongest. Too often we let the everyday stresses of life get under our skin- literally. The mind body connection is powerful. I'll bet if you took the time to really think about it, you could recall a time when stress or unfortunate circumstance made its presence known in a number of ways- breakouts, upset stomach, headaches, sleepless nights, you name it. It's so tremendously important for all of us to take that much needed "me time" everyday. Yes, I said everyday. Pay no mind to anyone who tells you that you don't need that time- they just don't know how to use it themselves. For today's post, I thought I would share some of my own "me time" de-stressors. It really depends on the day, how I'm feeling, and how much energy I have. If I'm feeling creative, I turn to my art and create. As an abstract artist, I find it s0o unbelievably calming to go wild with a box of pastels and charcoal. If I'm bouncing off the walls, you'll find me on the elliptical trying to find a balance between dancing to my music and not falling off the machine/breaking my ass. Or, you might find me doing a more fast-paced resistance band workout to some profane rap music in my bedroom. Either way, it's a spectacle. When I need to retreat to a place of calmness and peace, yoga is my go-to activity. I never really cared too much for yoga, as I always preferred Pilates. To be honest, I became fond of yoga by taking it slow- really embracing those "beginner" DVDs, and building my strength, flexibility, and overall understanding of this exercise before I started challenging myself. There are so many health benefits that yoga has to offer. Yoga can decrease depression, anxiety, stress, and mood swings if done regularly (Benefits of Yoga- Why Yoga is Good Exercise for You). Check out the links below for a peek at all the amazing benefits yoga has to offer! Physiological, psychological, and biochemical benefits of yoga Yoga Journal Fight stress and find serenity Like yoga, meditation has several health benefits. Yoga is actually a form of meditation- where the focus is on your breathing, posture, and balance. Meditation may seem intimidating to newcomers, but have no fear. There are all kinds of guided meditation CDs that you can purchase or even check out at your public library. Yes, you can find a bunch of guided meditation clips on YouTube, as well. There is no reason to be intimidated with all the wonderful physiological, psychological, and spiritual benefits meditation has to offer! Meditation is literally a mind-body medicine. As such, regular practice of meditation promotes physical and emotional well-being. While meditation can be used as as stress reducer, research has also shown that it can help with a number of health conditions including allergies, asthma, anxiety disorder, cancer, heart disease, binge eating, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, fatigue, substance abuse, and sleep-related issues (INeedMotivation, 100 Benefits of Meditation). Check out the links below for more information on the benefits of meditation and meditation techniques. Mayo Clinic on Meditation 7 Health benefits Physiological, psychological, and spiritual benefits of meditation Chakra Meditation Meditation for beginners Meditation techniques Relaxation and meditation techniques Always feel free to share your thoughts and ideas by commenting on blog posts. What techniques and activities do you turn to during "me time?" :) Work Cited
"100 Benefits of Meditation." INeedMotivation Excellence in Life Enrichment. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2013. <http://www.ineedmotivation.com/blog/2008/05/100-benefits-of-meditation/>. "Benefits of Yoga - Why Yoga Exercise is Good for You." abc-of-yoga.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2013. <http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogabenefits.asp>. |
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