Summer time is an opportunity to let go and enjoy ourselves. There is an invisible permission slip we give ourselves to travel, rest, swim, and connect with loved ones that happens if we let it. For some this is a struggle as we need to let go more.
I believe the saying, “life is what happens when you are busy making other plans” is about summer. You might not see it in the moment but these periods of rest, play and connection are integral to dreams coming true.
Photo by Chris Galbraith on Unsplash
On the fourth of July I saw a family friend I hadn’t seen in a while. She had recently been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s (thyroid disease) and knew that I had it. She asked how it was going and I told her that my numbers were healthy and I have been in what some call remission for a few years now.
She looked at me amazed! “Wow, you healed yourself - how did you do it?” She looked at me curious for the big secret. I too was surprised as I hadn’t looked at it that way and for years it was my dream to heal and feel good. I realized how much my life and health has changed over the years.
Still, I wasn’t sure what to answer. The truth is that out of all the things I did - medications, doctors, vitamins, diet, exercise, rest and self-care - the main thing was listening to my body and spending time alone. These are not the answers that are trendy or easy to sell.
I have many books on Hashimoto’s, Thyroid health and gluten free diets in my home. They are loaded with so much information it will make your head spin. At the time they offered me a plan and a call to action but they also kept me in my head and living in fear.
Since Hashimoto’s and thyroid disease is related to stress hormones, the last thing anyone needs is more stress. Even a healthy diet or vacation can be stressful if you are trying to control it. The same is true to our wellness and spiritual journey - it is not about fixing. It is about noticing and adjusting. Its about heart not about ego.
Spending time alone and listening to my body - these two things changed my life more than my gluten free diet, my doctor’s appointments and my blood tests. Of course, this is a solution to many of life’s struggles.
Messages from the body and time alone sound like a breath of fresh air, for example:
“Give it time, space and acceptance. Be willing to sit with it for a while. Trust the process that is unfolding. Notice when you feel good and happy and free. Notice when you feel suffocated and stressed and afraid.”
Then take that information and make more aligned life choices - not in order to fix but in order to LOVE. These go hand in hand. Nothing is possible without you spending time with yourself and listening to your body. The answers are in YOU. The key is in YOU. Not in your thinking mind but in your heart and soul. Start paying attention and start listening deeply.
This is an act of love, respect and deservingness towards yourself.
And it not only heals, it makes you come alive!
I hope you take yourself out on a date this summer and honor the whispers deep within.