For most of us, getting sick isn't something we want, nor look forward to. I certainly don't enjoy being sick, but just recently have discovered that sickness is a tool, something I need to look at and use, evaluate.
By no means am I a medical doctor and I don't profess to use these techniques to simply get better and move on. If you are ill and not getting better, yes, go and seek a doctor's assistance. I do seek the help of doctors when I understand that there is a necessity to do so.
Today, for instance, I have a full blown cold. It's not a lot of fun. I went to work, and probably shouldn't have. However, when I came home, I took some time to evaluate just how I was feeling. Quietly, I meditate and reach into each part of my body by simply placing my thought on each part of my body, starting with my feet and working my way up. What hurts? Where , exactly? What is it that I'm feeling? Where is there tension? I go into organs as well. If something doesn't hurt I simply thank it for being a healthy , functioning part of my body. Where I do find pain, I ask myself why that pain may be there. If I get an answer, I accept it. If I don't, I accept that as well and move on.
Fighting a cold or the flu isn't going to get me anywhere. My body is talking to me and I need to cooperate, not fight. I'm not going to starve my body of anything - including the attention it needs and is asking of from me. In fact, the more attention I pay to each part of my body the more relaxed and less pain I feel. It's my body's way of thanking me for recognizing the signals.
"Rest," I hear as complete my self evaluation. I'm bad a resting. I sleep at night, but that's not always enough. I do involve myself in a lot of activities at work and with my family, as well as for other jobs I hold. At times, it may just be too much. "Rest," should probably be tattooed on my arm or leg somewhere as a daily reminder - I NEED to rest. I accept it.
Know yourself. I know my diet, at times, suffers. I give in to a tasty morsel or two here and there and allow myself to enjoy them. There is nothing wrong with enjoying something REALLY delicious (and a bit "not so healthy") every so often - as long as it's just that - every so often. And I make sure that my REALLY delicious foods are worth it. But lately, I've noticed that the amounts of sugar in foods are absurd, not just ridiculous, but absurd. I've known this, but ignored it. My body isn't ignoring it though, it's telling me exactly what it thinks. I listen and accept it.
And now? Am I "cured?" Well, depends on how you look at it. I do feel less pain, but I am still stuffy and sneezing, etc. I tell my body that I understand, I love it and accept the "dis-ease" that is taking place. I thank it for allowing me this opportunity. After this, I do not give it more attention, I just simply make use of the help it has offered me.
The self evaluation exercise is simple, and takes anywhere from 10-20 minutes to complete. If you've never meditated before, you could start with a shorter version of this and scan, or evaluate your body for just 5-10 minutes, but do not rush. You can always do these self evaluations when you are feeling well too.
It's important to listen to what our bodies are telling us. It's also amazing just how much information we can obtain if we simply get quiet and listen within.
Be well.
And here are a few of my Etsy finds to make me feel better too! :)
I hope you are feeling well soon!
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