An Investment in Self

It is Friday and I am coming off of a very busy and full week. My body, mind and soul are looking forward to the downtime of the weekend. While I still have quite a lot on my “plate” for the upcoming days there is a transition time of tomorrow that will give me the pause, the rest and the time for restoration. I honor that my body is telling me to slow down, to rest, and to have some pleasure and fun. I intend to listen fully. Do you listen to your body’s messages? Do you take notice? Or do you just keep plugging along until the bottom drops out and you get sick, hurt, angry, stressed or wait until some other unfortunate result occurs? If this is you, have you asked yourself why?

Some folks just don’t know how to slow down. They don’t know what that looks like for them. Sometimes their self worth is based on production and busy-ness. Sometimes people are afraid to stop and listen because of what they might hear will not be to their liking or frighten them. Some people just don’t know how to relax, it feels awkward, causes some anxiety and they feel lost.

Unfortunately, listening to our body’s messages and responding to its needs is one more thing to do. It truly is. But if you don’t, I can promise you that you will pay the price eventually and it could be far more than what you anticipated. And for those that have to learn how, it is an investment, but again I promise that it is a worthy investment.

The bottom line is this attention to your body’s needs cannot be done effectively by anyone else but you. And for all the time it may take, the effort it may need, the awkwardness it may cause, in the end it will be worth it. I recommend to my clients to try it fortwo weeks and if at the end of those two weeks you are noticing positive changes, try for another two weeks. It is amazing how this type of investment multiplies so quickly in its value. You will discover things that it improves that you were not even aware of or thought they needed improving.

You have one body. You have twenty-four hours in a day and seven days in a week. If you can give your body a mere 30 minutes as day of attention, whether it be exercise, healthy food choices, stress management or even laughter and companionship you are taking only three and one half hours out of 168 hours in a week for yourself. Now really, are you going to try to convince yourself that you don’t have the time? You know you are worth it and you know that in the end you will appreciate the difference and value the investment in Self.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2013 Lisa Meade