A TIME FOR CHANGE

Yesterday I went to my 5 year checkup with my doctor with a list of complaints/worries to address with him.  There has to be a pill, patch, or elixir he can prescribe to take away all my discomfort and bring peace and wholeness to my existence.  I knew I was in trouble when the nurse started reading through some of the notes from my last appointment three months ago. 

Nurse:  Have you been taking your vitamin D and calcium daily?
Me:      Can you remind me again how much I am supposed to be taking?

Nurse:   How is the meditation and yoga working to control the anxiety and hot flashes?
Me:       I have been meaning to start that program...have read many articles about the benefits.

Nurse:   Is the Melatonin helping you sleep?
Me:       I have been sleeping horribly, but have not tried that supplement yet.

Nurse:  You have been exercising and eating well, right?
Me:      My kids have been out of school but now that they are back I can get right on that goal.

By the time Dr. Marcom walked into the office I openly admitted that I had done very little of the things that he had suggested. There is only one reason that I can come up with to explain my noncompliance...change is hard.  Maybe it is part of our genetic blueprint, but I see the inability to practice self care in many of my friends.  We wonder why we are so tired, depressed, anxious, and overwhelmed but refuse to invest in our own well being.  We willingly spend money on the outside package.  New clothes for every season, manicure, highlights for our hair, and makeup to give us a fake glow.  Our bodies and souls are crying out to be nurtured.  I have the tools and time but not even a diagnosis of cancer has made me alter some of the destructive habits in my life.  Nobody can make you stop and recognize the damage that you are doing to yourself, but what if we embarked on this path of change together?

Let's pick one thing we are going to do in the month of November that is going to bring some balance to our lives.  Here are some suggestions....exercise three times a week, read an inspirational book, go to bed an hour earlier, start taking vitamins, stop drinking soda, read your bible daily, establish a prayer time.....the list goes on and on.  We have to live with intention and decide here and now that altering our attitude can greatly influence our actions.  I grow weary of complaining, trudging through the day, having little patience for my children, and waiting for the 8:00 hour to come when I can rest.  Christine and I prayed this morning about not letting our circumstances dictate how we lived.  Make up your mind that you are worth the effort and there is nothing that will get in the way of you making this one small change.

Okay...so I will let you know what mine is going to be.  I don't want to to do it but I am going to begin to use meditation and yoga to battle these hormonal symptoms I am experiencing.  I have no problem jumping on a treadmill or lifting a weight but it just seems like such a waste of time to practice breathing.  I have trouble with anxiety but would rather pop a pill to mask the symptoms than listen to my body and what it is trying to tell me...ugh!  I promise to share my new adventure into the world of mindfulness ...I am a little scared to see what has been hiding up there all these years buried under the craziness.

Let me know what you are planning to do for yourself in November so I won't feel alone.  Be strong and take care of yourself.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

How about a little restoration?