How a physically challenged, Elderwoman found real and lasting Wellness
I define “wellness” as a feeling of wholeness and being at peace with your body, mind, and spirit. One can experience this Wellness despite physical challenges. In fact, physical challenges can be seen as a spirit-given learning experience where one is forced into seeing what is really important in life. It is all too easy to so identify with the pain and limitation that one loses sight of what makes this earth a truly magical place. The trees, the rose bushes, and the breeze wafting across one’s face are all gifts being showered upon us daily and given to us to enjoy.
In my preoccupation with physical and emotional pain and illness, I had become encapsulated in a dense bubble of pain and imagined suffering. I’m not saying the physical pain was not present, only that my constant focus on it created more energy around it and gave it power beyond its’ value as merely a signal to take care of the body.
NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming) has a basic tenet: “Energy flows where attention goes.” Now, when there is discomfort in the body, I take appropriate measures to relieve it, but I don’t focus on it to the extent that all else is forgotten. Be kind to your body, love it in all its’ imperfections, and move on. I’ve found that focusing on helping others creates a space free of bodily concerns and nourishes my soul.
I learned much from my Rheumatoid Arthritis about how one can let a disease almost destroy them and how one can see what is deeper than the body, what is always present, and what can never be touched by any disease. It has become my greatest teacher.
So, what exactly is Wellness for me? I’ll start with what it’s not! It’s not a preoccupation with looking like I’m under 60, always eating the perfect foods, or doing everything right. It’s not about having perfect health, the perfect body, or the perfect life as defined by society. It’s about acceptance of what is and seeing what is possible…it’s more about creating the life I want despite the challenges; it’s about using them to see what’s present, what shows up, and where that leads me.
Certainly, I eat organic foods suitable for my Slow Oxidizer metabolic type diet whenever possible, I do strength training weekly, I walk as much as my body allows, and I spend as much time as I can with supportive, alive, creative, and juicy people, including my husband. I give myself alone time and read inspirational books like The Power of Now by Eckhardt Tolle, Elderwoman by Marian Van Eyk McCain; Crones Don’t Whine by Jean Shinoda Bolen, to name just a few.
Here are a few tips for what I like to call “Inspired Wellness”:
1) Take time to ponder your life, to ask yourself powerful questions, like “What would my life be like if I ___________ (you fill in the blank, and make it something scary, daring, bold!). Check in with a Health & Wellness Coach for help if you want to set goals and create the life you’ve always wanted but were afraid to ask for.
2) Have FUN – find some activity that makes you laugh, makes you feel lighter and more joyful, and be sure it has some slight element of silliness in it. Seriousness is a disease!
3) When you look at your body in a mirror, realize it took you years to get that look of a well-worn character, and you have earned the right to overlook the so-called “flaws.”
4) Start a program of strength training (yes, I know, I’m biased).
It will pay off in a longer life, better functioning in the activities of daily living (this equals more FUN), and you’ll feel GREAT! Just be sure you do it properly, with a knowledgeable trainer (at least to start), and do it SLOWLY. Add some walking to this mix, and watch your body respond with increased vigor and joy that you are finally using it like it was intended.
Oh, one final tip — Make sure you have a lovely piece of dark chocolate at least once a week, maybe even oftener – it’s good for the heart, you know!
