As I prioritized self-compassion this month, I became deeply aware that I need to own and honour the gift that is my body – the precious vessel for my mind and spirit.
I realized that my lack of sufficient exercise is just one aspect of how I’m not treating my body well. Often we think of taking care of our body as an obligation, another programme to sign up for, another yoga class to join, dieting, losing weight, walking a certain number of steps. People usually say “body, mind, spirit” when talking about embracing their whole selves. But we are not separate parts. What affects one affects the whole.
Paying Attention To My Senses
I’m learning that one of the best ways to honour my body is to turn my attention to my senses. When I really tune in and appreciate my senses, something magical and divine happens: I realize that guidance is always coming through them. I’m trusting my intuition more. This is what having a ‘gut feeling’ means, I’m guessing. More and more, I’m taking decisions based on my intuition.
I’m also getting better at recognizing the signals my body gives when I’m anxious or stressed. I can feel how fast my heart beats and how my breathing pattern changes when I’m anxious. These days, I consciously slow down in these moments. I’ve begun telling José when I feel anxious or stressed. This is an enormous change for me, but I’m learning.
Your body is the precious vessel for who you are. You are alive right now, and it is a gift.
Kristi Nelson
Seeking Quiet and Meaning
Throughout my day, I notice what I pay attention to—like the videos I watch, the music I listen to, and what I read. It’s a chance to make sure I’m spending time on things that really matter to me and make me feel good. It’s not about being hard on myself, just making choices that feel right for me.
Making sure I get enough quiet time is not just good for my mind and spirit, it’s also good for my body – for my whole self. Taking time for reflection and writing my Morning Pages, is a good way to quieten down, untense myself and allow guidance to flow.
And yes, as part of my intention to be kinder to myself, I’ve started to go for evening walks at least five times a week.
This evocative poem from James Crew, appealed to me this week – another reminder to be self-compassionate.
The mind may leap five steps ahead,
devices pinging with new messages,
alerts, alarms. But the heart says,
There is no emergency. That muscle
wanting to unclench, aching to flex
as free as the monarch nectaring
on a Mexican sunflower at the cusp
of autumn. Don’t we all long for
space to pause and draw sweetness
from each bright thing in our path?
Don’t we crave the slowness of that
butterfly perched on orange petals,
coming alive in a way it never can
while in mid-air, wings folding and
unfolding their own form of prayer?
I love that I’m learning new things about myself, the world and how to navigate it better! What is the latest thing you’ve learned about yourself?
Today I’m linking in to Marsha Ingrao’s blog – WQ #161: February 21: Body systems and parts/Wait or Weight
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as usual this too is a personal sharing with tapping upon wisdom from intuition. Very relevant for me, who gets hooked to apps or mobile, as that’s both an information giver as well as cause of addiction, diverting the mind into other pastures, not relevant currently.
Im so glad to disconnect from technology, during the evening hours & get down to ‘real’ activities, that make better sense- the summer evening breeze, just observing people, walking the body & feeling free.
Thanks for stopping by, Bernadette.
Beautiful Corinne. I have practiced quiet time – sometimes in the middle of the night since I was in my twenties. It’s my time to read the Bible and pray. I keep a journal of my prayers and go back over them periodically, and I carry over the list whenever I start a new journal. Thanks again for being a regular WQ contributor. 🙂
That’s so inspiring, Marsha. I haven’t tried out a prayer journal, although I do write out my learning from a daily reading of the Scripture.
Wonderful Corinne, the words seem to be right from your heart and thank you for such amazing directions we can adapt in our lives.
Thank you for stopping by, Sapna. I’m glad this spoke to you.
While I have been taking care of my body regularly, it’s just for some time now that I have been focusing on my mind and spirit. It is a challenge, really, working on the mental health, and an everyday process. I have realised I am most at peace when I am drawing or colouring. It’s like meditation to me. And on some days when I am in the mood to listen to music while drawing, it’s sheer bliss!
Yes, I understand how this creative pursuit helps, Shilpa. Again the connection between body, mind and spirit, right?
I’m still working on living more embodied too. And loving the body I’m in. That’s sometimes hard. I try to rub my belly sometimes and tell it thank you for holding my food and energy, instead of looking at it with disgust for not being smaller. 🙂
What a lovely post, Cory. I guess a lot of us are on this journey of listening to our bodies, tapping into our intuition, flowing, hearing our kind voice, speaking our truth and surrendering knowing the universe has best laid plans.
I’m so happy that you have learnt to treat your body like a precious vessel and remind all of us to do so with this wonderful post.
It’s great how we are learning these nuggets, even though after we have lived half our lives. Better late than never, I say.
The poem is all kinds of love.
Back in blogosphere after a longish hiatus and it feels good to be on EverydayGyaan. 🙂
The ability to be aware of oneself is a gift. Unfortunately, it comes to most of us late in life. I am glad you’re tuning in to your self, slowing down and listening. That’s the best way to find peace.
I agree that mind, body, and spirit are the same. When one is affected, positively or negatively, the others also respond accordingly. Taking care of the body or physical health is important, as the quote says. It is nice that you have slowed down to get in tune with your intuition. There are a myriad of things to take note of from this post.
I have been exercising regularly for the last 5 months and going by the way I have been reaping results, I can say I have fallen in love with my body. I feel more desirable now at 42 than all my life put together. My past self would have held the idea of loving one’s body as utterly shallow. Thus, this is my latest learning.