The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Many many many times from newcomers I hear "If you had my life, you wouldn't think it was simple, either." "I don't understand why it is that you keep harping at me to eat and sleep. Don't you understand how much I have to do?" "You don't have kids. You don't get it." "You aren't married to an alcholic. You don't get it."
I really want to scream out, "Are you sure about that?!"
The reality is that when we take the time to take care of our physical selves, we want to take care of our emotional selves. When we begin taking care of our emotional selves, we want to take care of our spiritual selves. When we want to take care of our spiritual selves, we want to take care of our mental selves. And we don't realize that we've formed a chain of self care around ourselves till we realize when we dont have it. When the YMCA is closed for cleaning, I panic: I can't live without my water aerobic's classes! When the MIP AFG website is down, I panic: This is my family here! When my councelor is at a confrence, or, worse, on vacation, I panic: What about me?! Nurturing ourselves is by far the best recovery behavior we can engage in. By letting our loved ones have the space they need to experiment, fail and flail in their own path, we're really letting them see how capable they are and how capable we are, too. We're also seeing that we don't have all the answers, and we dont need them. What a relief! Today's hazelden meditation talks about looking at our bodies as nurturing souls. I thought I'd share it. Today's thought from Hazelden is:
I get a massage almost every week no matter where I am, eat a healthy diet, schedule time alone, and if I get to a point where I feel I need a block of time...I'll cancel. -- Anne Wilson Schaef
Do we love and care for our body as well as we love and care for our home and car? Do we feel our body deserves full attention and a loving maintenance plan?
Taking our body for granted is easy because of its remarkable durability and regenerative power. We may get lulled into a false sense of "nine lives" body security, believing our physical being will fix itself no matter what.
Self-care takes time and priority planning to be successful. We may find we put off our exercise and nutritional needs, saying, "Tomorrow I'll start taking better care of myself." But sooner or later tomorrow comes, and our body produces symptoms that demand attention.
Learning to love and nurture our body brings rewards without measure. We deserve to reap the benefits starting today.
Today let me realize that respect for my body builds a healing temple in which the rest of my life can grow.
This post has my name on it.....I am NOT good at self care...Alright I do the personal care thing, showers, keep myself nice, do my teeth, hair etc.....Thats all for appearence sake.....
My health is crap right now...My emotional state is shocking, physically I in a mess and spititually, well, enough said.
I forgot the doctor told me to put up my medication about two months ago..And I am now suffering because of it..I have no energy, I am tired all the time...Also I am not eating enough for a child in a day.....
So yes I need to seriously look at my self care, from every aspect....
Thanks for your words of wisdom....
Can always rely on you for a major kick in the A**.....(lol)
It is something I have promised to do for myself and I will continue. I joined the hospital (I work there) Wellness program. It is a great incentive and lots of fun. I am working to cut down on diet soda, I have heard it is hard on your body.
I am "thinking" about getting more regular in my non-existant exercise program....lol
The way I eat is horrible, I am trying to change that.
I love this topic. Your first paragraph made me laugh. I told my sponsor once I couldn't believe how she had put up with my "but" abuse LOL. But....you don't understand, but....it's not the same, but... it's not as easy that.....but, but, but, but. She must have had the patience of Job.
I'd just like to add to the wonderful insight of your post that so often our physical health is a direct product of our emotional well being. The emotional strain of what we go thru at times can make us physically sick. I'm mindful of someone who thought she had MS -- it was stress. Taking care of ourselves is a must to achieve balance and serenity.
Keeping it simple, starting with getting good rest and taking even baby steps for our own self care can bring about amazing changes in our outlook/perspective. Like you said, you just have to start, and why not now?
Ya know, I think I need a nap, lol.....off to take care of me.
