Food for the Soul

I often notice that whenever someone I care about is suffering self-care has fallen by the wayside. I notice that getting a good night's sleep, some kind of exercise or body movement, making healthy choices in food and doing something that they enjoy and brings them pleasure are not even considered. I also notice that these are the very same things that people lose sight of when they become too busy.

We live in a society that is success driven. We are often seeking happiness. Almost any conversation can lead to beauty or health. And yet, we don't seem to understand the connection, or perhaps it is the disconnect, of nurturing the body, mind and soul.

Years ago, I had a professor who shared with me his belief that in order for someone to truly feel whole, to experience well being and to obtain happiness they needed to tend to the needs of the body, mind and the soul, not just one or two, but all three together. Leaving any one of these unattended would prevent fulfillment and one would always feel something was lacking.

You don't have to look to far to find ways to nurture your body. There are plenty of resources that will enlighten you to what your body needs to obtain the just right weight, activity and rest. Additionally, there are so many options one can chose to help bring rest to the mind, positivity to the thoughts, challenges to expand and keep alive the brain and distraction to relieve stressful thoughts.

But often we struggle with finding what it is we need to feed our soul. What satisfies it? What delights it? What gives it pause to rest? How do we engage with it on a daily basis and tend to its needs? For each of us there are different answers to these questions. But, just asking the questions is part of the honoring. Be assured the answers will come in time.

There are some "tools" that I have found that help me uncover my soul's needs. Nature is the perfect environment. There is something about taking a hike or sitting beneath a tree or swinging in a hammock that unlocks the door the conversation with the Universe. Here I am able to entertain the ideas that bubble up of what I need or long for, what delights me and how can I find ways to invite this into my day.

Writing in a journal often gives my soul voice. Slowly the words come together to explore the possibilities of what I could do with my free time or what my spiritual practice desires. Within the lines of my journal I begin to see a pattern forming and the solution to my situation presents itself and I am able to manifest something of value.

Taking the time to nurture our soul is as equally important as the time we spend taking care of our body's needs and our mind's thoughts. This time spent will enrich our day and our spiritual practice. It will help us feel more and more whole, happy and full. The balance becomes complete and the world responds in kind with more and more possibilities for us to embrace to maintain our well being.

Blessings, Lisa

Down Time and The Gifts To Be Found

Vacation, rest, pause, or holiday. Each of these words may bring a different image to one's mind. But to the soul they all hold the same energetic vibration; down time! Our soul recognizes that our body and mind is functioning within a world of busy-ness. Sometimes we are just so busy that it hurts! Our soul pokes at us until we cry, "Uncle" and hit the pause button.

Many times I will hear from my clients that they have no time for down time, for "me" time or for any kind of stillness. Yet, they have come to me for support, release, or healing of some kind. Their soul has managed to convince their heart and body that this is a dire need.  It is trying to get the mind on board as well. Our thoughts are incredibly powerful. They will try to justify and rationalize. If we want our thoughts to work in our favor we have to entice our mind.

The mind likes to solve problems. Often, the way around this denial of downtime is to ask the brain to come up with creative possibilities for the hidden down time. Entice it to seek the elusive moments throughout the day that can be embraced. We often think that our down time needs to be scheduled, mapped out and of a certain duration. But the truth is a few moments here and there does the world of good.

Moments spent in traffic can create an opportunity for some deep breathing. Standing in line at the grocery store repeat an affirmation or a mantra until it is your turn in line. Waiting on hold on the phone listening to boring music; stretch your body. Folding a load of laundry; check in with your guides or angels.

Bringing connection to the resources that honor and celebrate your soul does not need to be an act of labor. It does not need extensive planning, purchasing of a group pass or even your calendar. It simply needs awareness and creativity.  Entice your beautiful mind into the equation. Allow it to expand with creative ideas and honored as you embrace them.

Blessings, Lisa