Taking Care of Ourselves

May is not the time of year to be in a funk! (like any time of year works!)   Having experienced a major fibro flare up and feeling too crappy to do much besides lie under my favorite blanket and watch TV, I fell into a sad state. Some other issues with my family of origin were also causing stress.I just kept trying to figure out what had caused the flare(was it the long use of prednizone this winter or the cold damp spring?) Although it does help to figure out triggers to avoid them later but right now it doesn't matter much what caused it but what am I going to do to feel better , especially emotionally and spirituallyNOW!
I was actually angry and in self pity because last year I felt so good in all three areas!! I was upset with myself that I had allowed health issues to get the better of me.
So I had a therapy session with ME! I made an action plan for all three areas of my life.
Emotional: I had begun reading Julia Cameron's book Vein of Gold last fall and had not followed through. I knew from reading The Artist's Way that when I do Julia's morning pages, artist's dates and other suggestions she has in her books, I steadily see a great improvement in my attitude and mood.As well as the renewed desire to create again!
SO my assignment is to read a few pages of Vein of Gold every day. The first day it lifted my mood!
Spiritual: Read my daily meditation books every morning and meditate at least ten minutes a day. I had gotten away from many of the daily things that help me not react to things others say and do. Like turning it over, letting go and saying The Serenity Prayer. They may sound simplistic but they work!
Making a daily gratitude list helps me in so many ways. It is so freeing and rewarding at the same time.
It makes me not take for granted and appreciate each birdsong or flower in my garden, my grandsons' smiles/giggles and my goldens unconditional love.
Physical: I have read that exercise helps fibromyalgia. This is hard to take in when you are feeling horrible pain just walking from the kitchen to the bathroom! Or even just lying in bed! But I know the key is to go slowly! So every day I am going to do some stretching /weights work  towards getting back to my water exercise class. If I have a particularly trying day such as  getting groceries (walking around a large super market is particularly painful. Every step is jarring.) then I take it easy and do stretches from a chair or lying down. I am being very patient with myself in this area.I am continuing to eat healthy foods and focus on moderation.

Plus getting back to practicing what I preach. Nurturing myself. I have been doing nurturing activities but I was doing them mindlessly, unconsciously. So back to basics. Being HERE in my life. Focusing on each activity, each moment. Then , and only then, am I being truly present. Authentically living in the moment.
I'll keep you posted. and please let me know how you are taking care of your SELF .