Love

Many years ago I was asked "Do you love yourself?" I answered "I think so."
As time went by, I came to see that I spent alot of my time up in my head, in the intellect. Without realizing it, I was somewhat cut off from my body, taking it for granted. Did I love it and care for it? Was I loving toward myself and the attitudes and beliefs that I had developed from childhood? No.
Donna Eden in "Energy Medicine" states that "self-judgment triggers different biochemical pathways in your immune response than does self-compassion. Activating compassion for yourself can be a critical step in reversing autoimmune disorders."

What things are we angry at our bodies about? Too heavy? Too many changes hormonally? Too much pain? Too stressed?
When we enter into a friendship with our bodies and begin to look compassionately at ourselves, our impulses, our patterns, we open the way for a loving relationship that will affect our health and the relationships that we have with others. There is plenty of love to go around, and it needs to start at "home."

"Inner Critic"

I recently read a quote by a poet named Czeslaw Milosz, "We should not think of our past as definitely settled, for we are not a stone or a tree. My past changes every minute according to the meaning given it now, in this moment."
One persistent ghost from the past has been my "inner critic," the voice that has negative things to say about the myriad ways in which I don't measure up. When viewed through the "lens" of mind-body connection, I eventually began to bring that voice to conscious awareness, where I could deal with it directly. I had begun to grasp the stressful effects the constant "chatter" was having on me and on my well being. I do accept that my mind will always be busy, that is its' job. I don't accept that the voice must stay the same. In each moment I can ask it to take a back seat. I can replace it with positive images, words, breathing, loving and compassionate energy,which are gifts that I give to my life and health. This is an ongoing practice that produces compassionate and loving results for me as well as those around me.

Between Knowing and Doing

In every form of media in this new year, I see articles about changing our behaviors for the better. There is much good advice about losing weight, quitting smoking, organizing ourselves, etc. The thing is, we have heard these things before, said in many different ways. The issue is not that we don't KNOW what to do, rather the question becomes "Do we act on what we know?"
Even when we know that a behavior makes us feel better, like exercising, we don't necessarily move ourselves away from the computer, the TV, the couch, to "just do it." I find that I take longer walks if I have a walking buddy, so socialization and community can be a very motivating factor. Visualizing myself as a healthy person (now and in the future) and tapping into what I deeply feel is meaningful in this life and why I want to live a long and healthy life, puts me in a space where I feel that I want to make the difficult changes that are recommended by my physician (or physical therapist, etc.) One example: it was recommended that I stop eating all grains, starches and sugars (except some honey) for intestinal reasons. This required changing many habits and addictions. (If you don't think blue corn chips are an addiction, try going without them! Not to mention chocolate!!) Funny thing was, I discovered that the cravings went away after those things were no longer in my system. I also began feeling more energy.
So what is between the "knowing" and the "doing?" The deep desire to have a healthy, happy life that contains meaning, purpose and community. I believe that this is what we all want and that sometimes we need a partner or more to help us with the accountability and the support that encourages us to act on what we know.

Happy New Year!

Hello and welcome to my blog. I will be writing about lifestyle behavioral changes that affect health and happiness. I will speak from experience and quote other "experts" from time to time.
As an integrative health coach, I'm currently asking myself: What do I want to experience more of in my life? "Creativity."
What's one way I can express myself creatively? "Writing."
Like a book? "Sounds intimidating." It's too big a project, too scary, so I put it off.
What if I break writing into small steps, like this post? hmmm...
I access more energy as I create and as I move and as I spend time in nature. I've experienced the way in which lifestyle change can bring up fear or other feelings associated with the unknown. I see how some changes can best be started by plunging in all at once (like the times I've moved to new places where I didn't know anyone.) Alternatively, some changes lend themselves to tiny steps that encourage more success. (Like exercising for ten minutes at a time and working up.)
Are you starting 2010 wanting better health, more energy? What brings you energy? Pick a favorite or two. How will you succeed? Start in slowly or plunge in?
Whatever you choose, consider being kind and compassionate with yourself along the winding path known as "change."