HEALTH & WELLBEING
NURTURING YOURSELF:
Every season is filled with 4 its own majesty and unique energy that bring wholeness to life. My Cherokee ancestors called the sacred circle of life the medicine wheel. The medicine wheel expresses a powerful understanding of the forces around us and represents the cyclical nature of the seasons. It’s a symbolic representation of the balance of the universe, in which everything created has its appropriate place. It honors every aspect of being . . . our bodies, our spirit, and our heart. Most of us are no longer connected to the seasons as our ancestors were. We wake up in our heated and air-conditioned homes, drive to work in our climatecontrolled cars, and arrive at our offices in tall buildings that loom high above the earth. Generations ago, our bodies used to be more in harmony with the natural flow of the year. For most of us now, however, seasonal activities such as chopping firewood to keep warm in the winter, sowing seeds in spring to ensure a bountiful summer garden, and harvesting crops in the fall are not essential parts of our lives. Although we live in a time of plenty, by not participating in the seasons on a soul
level, we’re bereft of the natural waxing and waning of life. And often our body will give us a gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) reminder to connect more deeply to this powerful earth energy. If summer is the season of vast expansiveness and carefree days at the beach, winter is a warm blanket, a roaring fire, and steaming cup of tea. Traditionally, winter has been a time to pull inward. The bear hibernates in its den, and other animals burrow underground. Winter is a time for reflection. It’s a time to tend to your needs in a quiet and contemplative way. Unfortunately, in our modern society of go-go-go, most of us feel as though we don’t have time to respond to all the e-mails in our inbox, meet a friend for coffee, or even cook satisfying meals, let alone take time away from our “to do” list to live more in harmony with the slower tempo of winter. However, when we deny our soul the gentle ebb and flow of life and continue to push ourselves to do more-more-more, eventually our body has a way of finding its own way to hit the “pause button.” You might get sick, twist your ankle or become blue. We usually can find an explanation for these maladies: perhaps a co-worker sneezed nearby and then you fell ill, or maybe the sidewalk was slippery and you tripped while walking; however, underneath that, likely your body is giving you a big ‘ole kick in the rear to tell you “Hey, you’ve gotta make some changes!”? Mine certainly has…over and over again. I’m a recovering Do-It-Yourselfer. However, I’m not the kind of DIYer you’ll find lurking behind rows of paint or stacks of tile at a home improvement store, nor are you likely to find me fixing a leaky faucet or changing light fixtures. I’m a DIYer in the sense that I like to do everything myself,
from organizing documents in my office to chopping vegetables for a stew. For a long time, I had an aversion to hiring people to help me with things like cleaning and yard work, even when I’d worn myself thin and was in dire need of repose. Last winter, after spending nearly every waking hour at the computer, just two days before The Mystic Cookbook was due on my editor’s desk, my back went out. It was my body’s way of saying “You need to slow down! You need to spend some time resting, re-energizing, and pulling inward.” For many of us, one of the best ways to connect with the energy of winter and keep ourselves in balance is being willing to ask for help. Although asking for help doesn’t come easily to me, when I release my tight grasp on the reins, I’m often delighted to discover that not only does the world not come crashing down, but also everything begins to feel easier, more manageable, and even more enjoyable. Getting help— whether it’s hiring someone to clean, asking a friend for assistance finding a solution to a problem, or even taking your family out to dinner rather than cooking— can be an excellent start to getting yourself back in balance, especially during the winter months. Additionally, yoga, meditation, massage, baths, walks, spending time in nature, and chatting with friends are all wonderful ways to nourish your soul and nurture your body. However, many of us lead busy lives and don’t feel as though we necessarily have time for a long stroll in the woods. Perhaps the thought of driving in traffic to get to yoga stresses you out. Or maybe funds are tight and although a massage sounds divine, it might not be in your monthly budget at this time. But, you have to eat. It’s something you do everyday. Your mealtimes can be a wonderful way to treat yourself with love and respect. Since food is so central to all of life, the more you savor your meals, the more you actually begin to savor your life. Plus, it can be fun and delicious, and when you eat comfort food and fruits and vegetables that are in season, you connect more deeply with the