The hectic urban scape of tri-state living, from its environmental, spiritual, and financial toxicity plays a significant role in determining our picture of wellness. These components are especially relevant in inhibiting us from utilizing the first and fundamental component towards optimal health—listening.
Some modalities, or ways of practicing health and wellness, refer to what I call, “listening", as consciousness, or mindfulness. Whatever phrase is most appropriately indicative of pointing you towards the path of complete attention, use it. Listening is not a luxury afforded to an elite few. Although our culture perpetuates an unhealthy “push propaganda,” we all have the option and opportunity to practice this life saving and life giving tactic, and are equally important enough to be heard. You matter. Listening is a building block towards complete empowerment, soul connection, and wholistic health; yet how many of us actually do it?
Our bodies and spirits are directly connected and perpetually sends us messages through distress [disease] and discomfort as a result of imbalances. Often these transient or chronic signals we experience are a result of negative exposure, over stimulation, under nourishment, and other factors which are preventable. Far too often, our focus--what we consciously choose to “listen to” or observe, is the central trigger. What we feed our mind can be public enemy #1. How do we begin to reverse these trends? Easy! First, simply stop.
Stop for a moment. We can all afford a moment, even some of us believe that the creator of the universe took a day trip after working all week. Ask yourself the following four questions over a series of days at the same time daily:
1. How am I really feeling? List aches, pains, energy levels. Be sure to write if you are experiencing hunger, irritability, etc.
2. How am I breathing? Is your breathing easy? Shallow? Labored? Do you tend to hold your breath unconsciously for long periods of time, especially when working?
3. What do I spend most of my day, [consciously] thinking about? Are this things, good, healthy, or even helpful? Why or why not?
4. What have I been eating? Are these things that I actually crave? Why or why not?
Give yourself ample opportunity to answer each question thougtfully. Be patient and honest with yourself. If you don’t know, simply write, “I don’t know.” IT IS OK NOT TO KNOW. Take this time to identify your “normal,” or normative state. It is different for each of us, but very important for realizing when we are in a state of distress or to identify if we are experiencing signals of imbalance. It may seem odd at first, but these practices, which can soon come naturally, can make a difference. Try it out, and let’s continue our conversation next week. Until then, Be Well.
Love & Light,
Sheika
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