Secret #11: Build Effective Whole-Person Health Strategies
Self-care is essential to a creative, healthy, and successful life. Start with one change at a time, and bring in the light.
Body
Do you ever work all day like a mad woman: not eating, glued to your computer screen, overtired, and ignoring nature’s call? They say now that being sedentary is the new smoking. Your physical health is the foundation for your success. We have to wake up and pay attention and implement a protection plan. Almost all of the women I have ever interviewed say that movement and physical exercise refuels their brain to be creative. Honor what your body is telling you—listen carefully and obey. In this toxic world of stress and chemicals in everything, we need to take extra good care of ourselves. JJ Virgin, wellness expert, says that the two biggest keys to being healthy are quality sleep and putting some bliss in your life each day.
Mind
Setting critical boundaries is an essential skill for success. You must free up your mind and energy for what you love. Baeth Davis has big dreams for her life and reminds us that you have to cut your losses and realize that not everyone is going to support you. She protects her mind by taking weekends off, dancing regularly, delegating errands and cleaning, and spending time in nature. Caroll Michaels, who is another avid dancer, says her happiness now comes from accepting herself as special with unique talents. She no longer defers to others but is completely at peace with herself and feels radiant.
Heart
Loving the people we keep in our lives is the essence of being rich with heart. Pele Rouge talks about what the Mayans call “companions of destiny”—these are the people with whom each of us is meant to work with, travel with, to journey with in this lifetime. As Pele says, we are lucky if we find them. Marilyn Tam was mentored by her beloved Robert Mueller, the former Assistant Secretary of the United Nations and author of one of my favorite books, Most of All They Taught Me Happiness. She says that Robert taught her exuberance and optimism in life. As Marilyn says, if he could find hope and joy in the tragedies he had to encounter all the time, how could I not? We all need to let go of negative people who pull us down and fill our lives with soul sisters and brothers.
Spirit
Spirituality is living as though your life is being guided by a higher wisdom or a connection to something greater than self. These beliefs may not be tied to any religion. As Anne Sexton says, “Put your ear close to your soul and listen hard.” We need to listen to our intuition and our inner guidance as they often hold clues to our creativity. Trusting in the Universe also gives us a life philosophy. We learn to accept things not working out for a reason and seek out people and projects that have simpatico with our core values and beliefs. For many years, women met in spiritual circles early in the morning around the warmth of the fires. Today, we may want to be part of a spiritual group or we may choose to design a daily spiritual practice on our own that may involve journaling, prayer, affirmation cards, reading, movement, mandalas, treasure maps, etc. For some women, being in Nature and around animals is their church. What are the beliefs that give your life meaning and how do you stay connected to them?
So, how do you need to honor your body, mind, heart, and spirit, in your life?
Our next Secret # 12 will be our last one for this series. See you then.
