Flexxxxx
I have been thinking about flexibility. In fact, this may be a year where flexibility is a word I about which have learned a tremendous amount! Let's explore.
Physically- I struggle with very tight hips and quads. Walking doesn't help much, biking makes them tighter and, frankly, I am kind of sedentary! I am not active like I was 20 years ago. My bike does provide gentle exercise that doesn't hurt my feet. Walking is easy here where I live, since this whole town is in a 20 block grid (give or take). But I was born with twisted feet and, consequently, my hips and lower back have always had issues! I am so grateful for my mother's faithful exercising of my feet and legs- and yes, I was one of those kids in special boots and sleeping apparatus to straighten things out. I usually am mostly unaware of this in my very distant past, but my over 50 year old self is beginning to pay for that birth difficulty! Yoga stretching, stretching as I stand and being aware of not sitting in a way that makes me sore have become practice. Flexible.
Mentally- I am learning. I was contemplating this last night. Learning new things in my wisdom years makes me so aware that I LIKE to learn! My latest lesson in Women's Herbal Medicines is on stress and what happens to the body systems under stress. I am learning more about herbs that help the body deal with stress and create benefits mentally and physically. Those herbs are called adaptagens. Brilliant! It is a way to manage stress, adapting! So, while I think of new learning, of being mentally flexible, I think of adaptagens and adaptability! Perhaps mentally flexible looks like adaptable!
Emotionally; I have noticed as I get older, I am more open to others ideas and tolerant of differences. I am also very sure of who I am and my own opinions and wisdom. Those two seemingly opposite feelings can collide! But, I have found, they have actually learned to live in peace! Being peaceful, mindful and kind help me be mentally flexible. They create a space where it is all possible! Kindness is a practice that I am working very hard to make a lense through which to see others, to udnerstand their hearts. It has helped me let go of perceived offenses and see people in a much lovelier light. It also reminds me that it is my responsibility to let offenses go that build, so that positive has a hold and negative does not. That part needs more work--I AM human!
Spiritual- Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be easily broken. This makes me think of "Not my will but Yours". I do know myself and I am fairly aware of strengths and weaknesses, of self. I have to bend, to let the Holy Spirit to do work with me, through me. I am constantly in a place of prayer and connection, of supplication. Even that lovely word is a reminder of supple! One more flexible word.
BIRTH- How does this all fit? Well, flexibility is one of the very important ideals for health in birth. All of those reasons, those four corners of self, are suggestive of a willow tree, strong and supple and flexible, but that strength at the core being the directionality of the person! Flexible and strong, for birth, for life, for day to day interactions, are simply imperative! My thoughts on this need some more thought, more meditation. I am being challenged to be flexible but strong, to follow through on my own promises to self. I need to eat in a more balanced and clean way. I need to do more physically, to keep my body and mind well-- and flexible! I find that when I eat well and am active, my emotions are also more balanced. My walk with the Lord always takes discipline- not because I don't WANT it but because busyness gets in the way, the urgent over the important. It is always a struggle, since I am the person, that compassionate one, who jumps to people's requests aboove my own first time every time. Priorities and placing a schedule, a daily play book, would be a good way to bring balance in, much like meal planning and exercise. In fact, it might help me stay on track! Finding balance, being flexible, staying on the path of wellness and remembering the holistic self- my intention and understanding also need to remain lined up! How do you find flexibility and purposes aligning in your life? Share them, I always need inspiration and ideas! Until next time.....
Physically- I struggle with very tight hips and quads. Walking doesn't help much, biking makes them tighter and, frankly, I am kind of sedentary! I am not active like I was 20 years ago. My bike does provide gentle exercise that doesn't hurt my feet. Walking is easy here where I live, since this whole town is in a 20 block grid (give or take). But I was born with twisted feet and, consequently, my hips and lower back have always had issues! I am so grateful for my mother's faithful exercising of my feet and legs- and yes, I was one of those kids in special boots and sleeping apparatus to straighten things out. I usually am mostly unaware of this in my very distant past, but my over 50 year old self is beginning to pay for that birth difficulty! Yoga stretching, stretching as I stand and being aware of not sitting in a way that makes me sore have become practice. Flexible.
Mentally- I am learning. I was contemplating this last night. Learning new things in my wisdom years makes me so aware that I LIKE to learn! My latest lesson in Women's Herbal Medicines is on stress and what happens to the body systems under stress. I am learning more about herbs that help the body deal with stress and create benefits mentally and physically. Those herbs are called adaptagens. Brilliant! It is a way to manage stress, adapting! So, while I think of new learning, of being mentally flexible, I think of adaptagens and adaptability! Perhaps mentally flexible looks like adaptable!
Emotionally; I have noticed as I get older, I am more open to others ideas and tolerant of differences. I am also very sure of who I am and my own opinions and wisdom. Those two seemingly opposite feelings can collide! But, I have found, they have actually learned to live in peace! Being peaceful, mindful and kind help me be mentally flexible. They create a space where it is all possible! Kindness is a practice that I am working very hard to make a lense through which to see others, to udnerstand their hearts. It has helped me let go of perceived offenses and see people in a much lovelier light. It also reminds me that it is my responsibility to let offenses go that build, so that positive has a hold and negative does not. That part needs more work--I AM human!
Spiritual- Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be easily broken. This makes me think of "Not my will but Yours". I do know myself and I am fairly aware of strengths and weaknesses, of self. I have to bend, to let the Holy Spirit to do work with me, through me. I am constantly in a place of prayer and connection, of supplication. Even that lovely word is a reminder of supple! One more flexible word.
BIRTH- How does this all fit? Well, flexibility is one of the very important ideals for health in birth. All of those reasons, those four corners of self, are suggestive of a willow tree, strong and supple and flexible, but that strength at the core being the directionality of the person! Flexible and strong, for birth, for life, for day to day interactions, are simply imperative! My thoughts on this need some more thought, more meditation. I am being challenged to be flexible but strong, to follow through on my own promises to self. I need to eat in a more balanced and clean way. I need to do more physically, to keep my body and mind well-- and flexible! I find that when I eat well and am active, my emotions are also more balanced. My walk with the Lord always takes discipline- not because I don't WANT it but because busyness gets in the way, the urgent over the important. It is always a struggle, since I am the person, that compassionate one, who jumps to people's requests aboove my own first time every time. Priorities and placing a schedule, a daily play book, would be a good way to bring balance in, much like meal planning and exercise. In fact, it might help me stay on track! Finding balance, being flexible, staying on the path of wellness and remembering the holistic self- my intention and understanding also need to remain lined up! How do you find flexibility and purposes aligning in your life? Share them, I always need inspiration and ideas! Until next time.....
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