We all know the expression,
You are what you eat.
But did you also know that you are what you think?
What you do each day?
How much exercise you get?
Which activities you choose to do or not do?
How you socialize with others?
How you give back to society?
And did you know that each of these aspects of yourself contribute to how you feel each day?
How you feel physically,
Mentally,
And emotionally?
And bottom line,
Beyond genetics,
Did you know that each contribute to your health and well-being both now and in the future?
So please take these next few moments with me as a bit of a timeout to let these words sink as you take a snapshot of your life in this moment.
To come into this moment now and acknowledge what you are doing as a matter of routine to ensure your continuing life is one of excellent health and well-being and longevity.
For statistics are now showing that far too many of us will end up with chronic conditions which threaten our freedom,
Threaten our independence,
And make us rely on others to care for us.
Think about that.
Take inventory of what you have eaten today.
Take notice of how much exercise you've had in the past week.
Take a close look at how much sleep you are getting and how you feel in the morning when you wake up.
And take note of your energy level at various times of the day.
Be aware of how you feel when others come to you with their questions or problems and how you are reacting to them and also how you feel afterwards.
Are you building self-care into your daily life to sustain you in all aspects of your life?
Do you feel connected to something more in your life,
Something more that is outside of yourself,
Outside of work and routines,
Something more that gives you strength when you feel depleted?
Like nature,
For example.
When did you last take a walk in nature instead of the gym?
Or slow down a run outdoors to a walk?
When did you last take the time to listen to bird calls in the morning and ingest their song and beauty into your being?
When did you last catch a sunrise or a sunset?
Or a moonrise or a moonset?
And not just a glance but a full-out watch where you were affected inwardly by the beauty of the sky.
These kinds of connections can impact us in a profound way when we just take a moment to look up.
Look up from the phone or computer,
See what's there surrounding us all,
Embracing us with its presence and support every day,
Reminding us to slow down,
Teaching us through natural ways such as the season of autumn to let go of our issues that no longer service as we watch leaves falling so easily and gently from a tree.
Just as the same tree might teach us about growing new things within us as it develops its new leaves in springtime.
The lessons are there.
We only see them when we integrate them with our life and allow ourselves to enjoy the fulfillment of what our life can be rather than putting up with the constancy of a treadmill existence that sees us barely rising to the top where we can see or know the difference.
Life is what you choose,
Yes.
However,
Sometimes life insidiously draws us into habits and routines that take us away from what we inherently know is good for us,
And we fall prey to being victimized by our oppressors,
Whomever or whatever they may be.
And it is in moments like this one now,
As you listen to this,
Where you can give yourself a time out to acknowledge the difference and seek the strength and courage to make your way back to where you are meant to be.
Remember who you are.
Thanks for listening to this self-care timeout.
I wish you a wonderful day,
And I'll end by saying namaste.
I bow to the divine in you.
