I have been considering life and the multiple phases of life. It is easy to forget that each day is a gift, isn’t it? We get busy. We make our lists. We either get busy accomplishing, or we procrastinate. I just spent a few years taking care of everyone and everything but myself. As a result, my physical, emotional,and spiritual life suffered. I careened from duty to duty, and day to day. Does that happen to you?
I have been mostly absent due to many family circumstances. My mom died, my brother died after a 4 month hospitalization, another family member had 3 hospitalizations. This was all within about 11 months. All of this took its toll. I hurt all over, all the time. I was not my normal, sunny self. I was taking care of everyone but me. I decided to finally do something about all of that. I got a health coach. I started taking better care of myself. I lost 30 pounds and am on the way to losing more. I decided to become a health coach, too. I now help others on this journey. I do health assessments over the phone to help launch people on healthier journeys of their own. I coach them as they learn to transform
I am in love with healthy cooking. What is amazing to me is that for the first time, I have not self-sabotaged my progress. I do not want to return to that unhealthy feeling I had in my mind, body, and soul. I had been through a number of life-altering events and major stressors.
Now I have learned to recognize when my emotions are kidnapping me. I do my best to stop the kidnapping. This is progress. But this is why I have been absent. Life gets messy, doesn’t it? I am determined to remember that this joy and optimism is a gift, but it is also the result of transformation. I did not think I could reach this point at all. It is not just about weight loss. It is not just about cooking and food. It is about transforming everything. It is about optimal health. I believe in seizing the chance. Seize the chance to love, dance, laugh, smile, enjoy, watch the sky, plant, relax, explore and learn. You are totally worth it.
It is about making wholeness, vibrancy, self-care a priority. How? Insist upon it. You are worth it. I am worth it. Take time to learn something each day about loved ones and their day. Take time for Scripture. Take time for movement, even if it just means you stand while you watch TV instead of sit. Take time to find SOMETHING to laugh about. Eat smaller meals more often. It trains your mind and body that fueling your body trains it to not go into starvation mode.
I did not think I could find joy anymore. I wasn’t even trying to find it. I was sure it was gone forever. But here it is again, I can be “believe anyway girl” again. That is a good thing. It was a long drought. This time is better. I am eager. By the way, let me know if you would like a health assessment. Even more importantly, let me know how your journey is going!
“Life is meant to be lived. Not managed, not controlled, not screamed, not stressed, not hurried, not guilt-ridden, not regretted, not scripted, not consumed by distractions, big or small, obvious or subtle.” ~ Rachel Macy Stafford.
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So so happy to hear about all the transformation that is taking place after so much heartache. You are a wonderful inspiration! Blessings and joys!
Thanks, Debbie. During the heartache, etc, I ran out of words to write…
Kate, it’s so good to see you back in the blogging world. I’m sorry for all of your loss and difficult times, but you will be stronger having gone through them. God carries us, doesn’t He? And He’s led you to a new purpose, how wonderful!
Yes, new purpose, new spring in my step…