Good Intentions and all that jazz

Posted on by

  I had it all laid out. Begin the New Year with the commitment to spend 2 hours a day working on my book and to create one art journal page everyday.

I had booked the first week of January off work to lay the foundation of meeting my intention. My plan was to spend the week between Christmas and New Years re-organizing the chapters of my book and then this week creating the bridges between the three core areas. Most of the writing is completed. It’s the structure I’ve been struggling with, but, a coaching session over the phone with the amazing Elizabeth in Australia, and I had finally found clarity.

And then, January 1 happened.

Well actually, it began with the flu between Christmas and New Years and then January 1 happened.

Every year, I find a word that will be my guidepost for the year’s meditations, reflections and actions. In truth, it’s more a case of the word finding me. It rises up out of the mists of meditation and through contemplative journalling. In the past, the word has had more to do with me and my relationship with the world around me — Flow. AtOnement. Redemption. Rejoice. Surrender. They have all been words that found me and guided me over the years.

This year’s word was different. It is self-directed. An inner way of being that I don’t do very well.

Self-care.

When it first rose up, it appeared as Take Care. I knew it had the essence of what I needed to focus on this year, but it wasn’t quite sitting right. I created a journal page, did some contemplative writing on it but it still didn’t resonate as clearly as I knew it needed to become my word for the year. Until my neck went out of alignment on New Year’s Day that is, and the word got really, really clear. 

Self-care. 

I need to practice good self-care to create the life, and the world, I want to experience.

Not my forte. I tend to disregard the signs my body sends me that it is feeling under duress. I tend to push away intonations that my body is feeling tired, worn down or simply in need of a break.

Even though my brain likes to tell me I am invincible, or I can ‘get over it’, my body knows what I need. My body holds more wisdom than my thinking.

C.C. and I spent Saturday in the Emergency. I’d awoken in tears. Well, actually I didn’t really wake up as I hadn’t fallen asleep, my neck hurt so much.

He drove me to my chiropractor’s who is open on Saturday mornings only to discover that this year, his offices were closed over the holiday break for renovations.

I knew I couldn’t go back home without doing something about the pain, so C.C. drove me to the Sheldon Chumir Emergency Care Centre where I got amazing treatment. The staff were really supportive and couldn’t have been more responsive.

Then again, for someone who doesn’t cry in public, I sure did a lot of crying that morning and I think they may have taken pity on me!

C.C. had to phone and cancel our dinner guests that evening as I was not capable of entertaining anyone (Chalk one up to good self-care — I might have tried to power through it in the past.) When my beautiful friend Michelle heard of my plight, she offered up her services (she’s a massage therapist and acupuncturist). Yesterday, I found some relief and will continue on with treatment to ensure my neck has what it needs to heal.

As for my plans, well, they’re going to have to find a way to be content with waiting while I learn to practice good self-care.

25 thoughts on “Good Intentions and all that jazz”

  2. I’ve often heard the analogy of the in-flight safety instructions. If the oxygen masks drop down, put yours on first before you try to help anyone else.

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Ian — it has been slow. Other than to go to my chiropractor or acupuncturist, I have not ventured out! I’ll connect tomorrow. I’m off for chiro now and need to limit my computer time. (it seems to make it worse) Happy New Year!

      Like

      Reply ↓

  7. More synchronicity — the first J2P Monday post I plan to put up is about the relationship between how we treat our bodies and how we treat our world.
    There might be a chance some of the triggers of release and stretches I teach for neck would help — let me know if you’d like to try to set up a Skype so I can teach you. (No charge, just offering to help…)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  10. Sometimes the body just says “stop!” And all you can do is stop. It is wise that you are listening to that message.
    Mid last year I fell on ice and hurt my knee. I was virtually bed-ridden for two weeks and unable to sit at my desk for six. It was extremely frustrating. At first I tried to fight it and ended up in even more pain. I had to give in and rest. For the next three months I really did follow your message of self-care and took things very slowly, gradually rebuilding my activity. I believe that I am now stronger for it.

    I hope that you are on the mend now and will soon be strong enough to devote to your passions.
    Take it slowly. Your health comes first.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  11. Wise guidance Louise! Listening to our inner guide and taking time to nurture and nourish ourselves was not an easy transition for me … Letting go of being strong, allowed me to access more self compassion for myself.
    It’s okay to cry in public now too 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • It is such wise guidance Val — and I struggle with listening to it everyday — I have stayed off the internet for a couple of days — partly because a technical glitch sent my blog into the netherlands of cyberspace! 🙂 The universe delivers solace when I most need it. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

  12. Self-care is also my theme for the year along with patience. I’m not so good with patience. Self care still feels a bit weird, but the rewards make it worthwhile. I’ve got a cold/flu happening now and it’s telling me I have to take care of myself.

    I’m working on deciding how I want my life to look and what I want to have in it. (Then I’ll have to look at ways to make it happen.) It took me a long time to realize that self care is not selfish, nor is creating a life that I want to live. This is my life and it’s foolish not to make it the best I can. It’s my contribution to the world – the way it’s supposed to be.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  14. Well, my dear Louise, wow what the universe has been throwing at you. Oh the signs are swirling all around you. I am so sorry for the physical pain and frustrations, but I know that you will center and align yourself, and make your way through this part of your journey. Sending so many vibes and healing thoughts of love and grace to you, my dear friend. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do from afar.

    And, just so you know. I just announced on my blog today that the theme for my new series of posts for January is none other than Intention.

    Somehow my energy and your energy are meeting, our spirits are kindred even more right now, even if it shows up in different ways. It feels powerful to me.

    Again, sending you love and strength as you care for your body, mind, and soul. Hugs, Liz

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • I love that our energy is aligning across the distance and cyberspace Liz and that our kindred spirits recognize one another in every way!

      Much love to you my friend and thank you for the well-wishes. My neck is slowly getting better. I’ve been staying off the net for awhile to give it time to heal. Hugs

      Like

      Reply ↓

Your comments create a beautiful circle of reciprocity. Please do comment.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.