Relax

Rupert Bunny, Pastoral (Sea Idyll Pastorale) c1893

Until recently I had managed to avoid the winter flu's and other bugs that normally invade us during the darker months of Winter. This year has been particularly wet so there have been fewer days basking in the gentler sunshine of the season. But I was surprised to find that I picked up a cold given my relatively healthy lifestyle. Thankfully, a cold is all it turned out to be.

During a day of well needed rest, I reflected on the past few weeks and realised that I had spent a considerable amount of time stressing over a work matter. It was quite a big deal but nonetheless, the apparent stress took it's toll on my body. I know that I can address the issue at the appropriate time, and I know that unnecessary stress does not help in any way whatsoever. Regardless of my awareness, knowing that I should step away – take a walk, breathe, talk to someone - I still allowed myself to submerge into the depths of fury and frustration.

The human body is an amazing life force. All that negative energy, anger and frustration I felt developed into toxins resulting in a cold. I truly believe that tension in our daily lives manifests into dis-ease in our physical bodies.

But how do we overcome the stress that is so much the norm of today’s society?

My inner voice tells me that I need to relax, take time each and every day specifically for me. I need to find ways to release physical tension – for me yoga and massage work well. I need to have creative outlets – I love to write, create magick, sculpt and sometimes draw. And most importantly, I need to meditate daily.

Sounds great! If only I could do all of these things every day, but the reality is that I need to work. It is a balancing act. However, I can bring breath into my work place. I can find a few minutes to write a few words of verse. I can find five minutes to sit quietly.

If I remember to bring love and light back into my life, I can relax and that is all I need.