Woman's Info Articles

submitted: Dec 16th 2008 | by: Guest | Total views: 39 | Word Count: 693 | |

For the last couple weeks, I have had the opportunity to really slow down my pace. My old self would have judged this time saying something to myself like “What is wrong with me? I am feeling so unmotivated.” Not this time. Oh no! I am sooooaking it in!

What is so great is that the weather in Wisconsin is totally working with me. This is what I love about nature. If we go along with its messages, we feel even better. Wisconsin is getting clobbered with ridiculous amounts of snow. People are complaining about it left and right, but not me. The weather gives me all the more reason to rest, relax and unwind. I am just loving my bed right now, as I treasure waking up around 6 rather than around 4:30 or 5 when I was in a more motivated state. I just lay in bed thinking about how good the mattress feels on my body, my pillow and my warm, cozy blankets. I just feel so content and nurtured by allowing myself to enjoy this time.

I feel that I am able to really take this time in and cherish it for two reasons. One is that I know this time will pass. There is no need to judge myself as being lazy or worry that I will never be motivated again. It simply won’t happen. My body’s callings are recognizable to me now. I know when it needs rest and why. It is through this resting time that I will be able to swing my crazy long days with greater ease.

The other reason is that there is something so sweet about this time. I feel like I am really soaking in life. Sure, it is neat that I can get so much accomplished during my motivated states but there is also something so wonderful about cherishing the big and small aspects of our days. When I am in this more rested and slowed down state, I really am able to take in the beauty, gifts, love and abundance I am surrounded with.

Another interesting aspect of having this time is that I am having some sort of love affair with my body. I don’t mean this in any weird way. What I mean is that I feel even more conscious than ever how beautiful, amazing and powerful by body is. This is not about what it looks like on the outside but more about my body’s ability to function and do such amazing things like breathe, walk, run, kneel, heal, swim, create, and love. Simply stated, I am in awe of me from the inside out and not just me but everyone!. So as strange as it may sound, I have also been taking this time to enjoy all that my body can do. I praise my body for all its physical abilities, cherish my largest organ – my skin with long baths and yummy lotions and look to nurture my body with healthy foods and apologize to it when I forget to.

What this innocent love affair with myself and my slowed down life has given is a greater sweetness. I feel so connected to myself, God and life that I can’t help myself but share this love with others. For example, my husband is getting phone calls just to tell him how handsome I think he is, besides being the best spouse and father.

Is it paradoxical that through loving ourselves that we are able to give more love out in the world? In a world that calls our self-care hurtful names such as selfish and lazy, you would think that to love ourselves is contradictory to loving others. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Although society will not congratulate you on your success of loving yourself, you will.

For more information on Michelle or to take her quiz “Are You Surviving Life or Truly Living?”, please visit www.MichelleBersell.com.

About the Author

I received a Masters in Clinical Psychology from The Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. In addition, I have received a Masters in Education from DePaul University in Chicago and completed my undergraduate training at the University of Arizona in Tucson. This professional training has given me a greater depth toward understanding the complexity of our human existence. None of these experiences, however, could create for me a sense of peace and joy from within.

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