Keeping up with the Jones
In 1 day I made 19 stops. I accomplished a lot, but I forgot to rest and by the end of the day I was exhausted. I hear so often that people are working 12 hour shifts and I wonder how they are doing it. Then I realized that I start my day at 6 am getting myself and the kids ready, I do some chores and get the kids to school, and then head to work. Then I pick up the kids, cook dinner, clean up, play with the kids and get the kids ready for bed. So working a 12 hour day is not really as bad as it sounds in retrospect. This doesn’t make it right, though.
I just finished ready Alan Cohen’s book The Tao Made Easy. What a phenomenal book! He weaves Christianity with the Tao and A Course in Miracles. The last chapter is dedicated to taking care of the body, our soul’s transportation. He has a line in his book which is much like John F. Kennedy’s line “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Instead, Alan Cohen says to serve your body rather than ask it to serve you. In other words, give your body what it needs so that it can keep running. Treat yourself as well as you do your car. That includes getting rest. Next to food and water, rest is crucial for the body.
You are not lazy or selfish if you take time to be still. I used to get really upset seeing someone sitting while I was busting my butt to get things done. Then I realized that it was my choice to keep going and if I really needed the help, I should ask for it or take the suggestion to rest as well.
Why is it far easier to push yourself than “quit”. Why do we sabotage ourselves and do what we know is not right? Somewhere in our life or in our DNA we must have taken a vow to protect ourselves from a created evil and now we are serving the life sentence believing if something needs to get done, I better do it or it won’t get done; or I constantly have to prove my worth so people will like me; or I’m not good enough so I have to work really hard to earn everything; or life is scary so I have to avoid people at all cost; or if my house and body are perfect than I am perfect. The list can go on and on.
What are your vows? Are you addicted to food, alcohol, work, etc.? Why? What’s driving that obsession? If you can figure that out, you can overcome the hurt that your addiction is covering up. You must take time to be still in order to hear the message you are seeking though. You may not get a message, but in that stillness you may at least clear your mind.
Remember, taking care of your soul is far healthier than getting your errands done, keeping your house clean, or finishing your never-ending to-do list. How do you measure success? Know that you are already a success and let life unfold according to God’s will.
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Voyage to HEAL Weekly Thoughts:
Stretch: Stretch your neck using a rolled-up towel or foam roller while elevating your feet. Just breath as you complete a progressing muscle relaxation provided here.
Exercise: For a stiff, painful neck that happened out of the blue, try using this muscle energy technique in which you turn the muscles on and off to retrain them to let go.
Habitual change: Be still in silence for 10 minutes each day
Perspective Enlightenment: I am perfect whether I get things done or not. I am real, not the images I see on tv, in magazines, or in my mind.
Godspeed on your Voyage to HEAL,
Love, Jocelyn