Day 106/366 days Towards Self-Mastery
Caring for ourselves is an essential aspect of self-mastery. The first thing that might come to mind is that all this attention on the self is looking a little bit selfish.
It's a good idea to remember that this time for you is probably the first time in your life that you've dedicated entirely to you and your needs. It's day 106. If you've been following this far you should now have some ideas of what is nurturing for you and what isn't. And I'm hoping that you're beginning to experience the benefits.
We cannot give from an empty cup. I always come back to that, and apart from that, my health and wellbeing is really important to me. It is me that has to live with it and so caring for me is my first priority these days.
Which brings me to the subject of exercise.
Sarah has a lovely suggestion for those of us that aren't partial to the gym
I don't know about you but I've tried and tired of all the fitness regimes that are on offer. Some time ago now I turned my back on gyms and aerobic classes and what not else.
Think of your exercise programme as creative movement.
I like this idea. Exercise and me are not good friends. Sitting and working for 10 hours at a time, no problem, and I never think to get up and walk around. It's not good for me.
Creative movement.
Qi Gong is one of two favourite exercises. It's slow and flows and feels so good as it moves the chi around my body. I'll start with it and do it everyday for a while, then yarn, I get tired of the same old routines.
My other is walking. Today, after reading this inspiration, I walked with presence. Feeling into my body, noticing my steps as they pressed into the boardwalk, feeling my joints move and my arms swing, the cool air on my face, the sounds of the bush. This was a great exercise, a creative movement.
I'm up for that again day after tomorrow.
Like anything exercise needs to fit your personality and your desires. It's not about willing yourself into something you don't enjoy.
Apart from anything else, your enjoyment of life is your best tonic. Enjoyment activates self-healing. Find an exercise or 3 that you really love to do, then do them as and when you feel you want to. Swimming riding, cycling, golf, yoga, there are so many. If you're feeling you should, or you're feeling guilty or unsettled about not, then that's a deeper issue and would be well worth exploring. Review the story behind that then move on.
Stay well.
366 days Towards Self-Mastery
When I considered my New Year's intentions for 2020 I had just one: To allow my heart to love what it loved...and let it lead me. (If not now, then when?)
I've spent months working on integrating my life. To live life more fully with my home life, my interests, my work, my responsibilities, all coming together, all connected. I want to give each the attention that they desire and need, and still have time and energy for the others. That means living and working from the heart.
As I was clearing out my bookshelf over the Christmas break I discovered Simple Abundance. I set it aside to explore it on New Year's Day as I lazed through another delicious day of nothingness. Sarah, the author, says this book is about living in grace. Living in grace I realised, is about Self-Mastery.
My thirst for understanding the human condition has driven me all my life, and hand-in-hand with self-mastery it has been a life-long goal. And seeing as I love to write, that living in grace is about self-mastery, and I love a bit of a challenge, then if I am truly going to let my heart lead, I really don't have any other choice. So scary as it feels, I'm starting out on a daily mission of leaning into the suggestions of this daybook and making a daily post to keep me accountable. If not now, then when?
I'm Josie. You can find out a little more about me here.
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy: by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
This book is written for the Australian and NZ market because it refers to seasonal changes. It's available on Amazon here if you'd like to follow along.