Wednesday Wellness – Self Care

 

“Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others.” -Parker Palmer

I love that quote, and the sentiment is one I have no trouble endorsing. But I know a lot of people struggle with it. And there are certainly areas of my life I do better at it than others. But I’m inviting myself to look at this over the course of time, and blog about it under the guise of “Wellness Wednesdays”.

I began a new practice this winter – walking meditation; where I simply walk while silently reciting a mantra. I’m a big fan of meditating and have done it for many years, however it’s always been a sitting practice. But I received a very clear message from my Guides that it was time to shift things around. The past months have been ones of expansion for me, and when things shift often everything needs to shift to be in alignment with our changes. And the message to me was I needed to be taking action on things.

In their often amusing way, my Guides insisted my meditation practice was over and it was time to initiate the real event. And lacing up the sneakers and getting out there is obviously action in a way that sitting isn’t.

I’ve found this to be very helpful, and now that the weather is inching towards Spring it’s even more pleasant. Unfortunately it isn’t really “active” enough to actually consider it exercise, which is something else I need to work harder at. But it is simultaneously calming and energizing in that contradictory but perfect way that meditation is. And now that I’m months into this “non-practice” I’m at the point where I don’t feel good unless I do it. And that’s a great place to be, because it means I’m hearing what I need.

Is meditation one of the things you do for self-care? I’d love to hear about it, and as always invite your comments.