Is it delicious to look after yourself…?
Posted in Be Yourself, Keep it Simple, Lightbulb Moments on 03. Oct, 2011
You have heard this before right? That to look after yourself is THE priority. Problem is, whilst we are aware of this, we often don’t know HOW to do it. And maybe it’s not even that we don’t know, it’s that we are so busy rushing towards the pursuit of happiness, that we don’t even have the time or space to allow ourselves to figure it out.
At least that’s been my experience.
Moving so fast towards a million goals we don’t have a moment to see what it is that actually lights us up now.
Recently I had the utmost pleasure in stopping and finding out what that is for me – sunshine, movement, concentration on my breath, nature, a routine around this – a committment to what this does for me. 5 miuntes, 10 minutes, an hour – whatever – just some time where I can stop and start my day the way I intend it to continue. Sound familiar? I knew all about this for a long time, but I didn’t really get it until I stopped and experienced just what this does for ME and how powerful and profound it can be. It may well be something different for YOU.
What is delicious... for YOU?
All I know is when I took a few days out and let myself be guided, within 24 hours I was a new girl. And it was all so simple. So easy. Just one day and I felt my soul had been rejuvenated. Within 3 days I felt deeply re-connected to some of the parts of me I had forgotten to love. For me, I had to go to a retreat to experience this shift (you know… all the stuff I knew ‘intellectually’ but wasn’t practicing regularly enough), but the speed at which it happened only served to highlight that it doesn’t take much to change the way you feel. That there is so much we can be doing to profoundly change our experience of life.
I write this becuase it makes a difference. To take care of yourself. How you start your day, the moments you take to relax, stretch, meditate, walk, take a bath, read, eat well – whatever you love, do it, try it, not just one day, but everyday. Because it is the little daily actions that ultimately make up your life.
Your own ‘spiritual’ practice could be a multitude of things. Recently I took a trip interstate and spent a few days languishing in no plans, no-one to be with, nowhere particular to be. I found myself wandering, observing, eating. A gorgeous moment in a gorgeous cafe. You know, when the taste is delectable. It’s just you, peace, finding your way in your own company. Stop, beautiful patisserie, divine lemongrass tea and apple danish. A book. Myself.
Not just about eating. Experiencing every bite with just me. Slow. Delicious.
Walking instead of a taxi. Sunshine. New sights. A cool bridge. Life. Exploring. Being ok to be with me. My thoughts. My adventure.
A little shopping. My favourite chocolate shop for a hot chocolate and gifts for people I love. Dinner by myself. Lovely. Back to basics. I am enough.
Find yourself and cherish YOU. It is delicious…
LIVES OF A WOMAN. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Shine Brightly, Live lightly
Elli J xx
