​How many times did you feel the need to press a pause button?
How many times did you feel the need to just stop and catch your breath?
How many times did you catch yourself running and racing, not even knowing what you are racing for or where you are heading?
How many times did you feel tumbling in a hectic stressful reality?
We've all been there. An exhausting mode of living that our modern lifestyle imposed on us without our consent. We all need this critical balance. Balance between the demands of our body, our every-day life and logical mind on one side and the needs of our heart and soul on the other.
It's the story of client of mine. Let's call her Mary. This of course is not her real name.
Mary is a 54-year-old high school teacher living with her husband in a calm and friendly neighbourhood. Mary's neighbours like her cheerful welcoming spirit as they greet her every morning on their way to work. Yet, Mary's life is not as easy as it looks from the outside.
One night, the serene neighbourhood was disturbed by the sound of the ambulance at 2:00 am. Mary was rushed to the hospital with sharp pain in her chest. She was admitted immediately to the operating room for coronary bypass surgery.
If we take a closer look at Mary's life, we will understand the source of her 'broken' heart. Mary is a caring loving wife. She spent the last 15 years of her marriage nurturing her husband who suffered from bipolar disorder. Her husband chronic health problems drained her energy and isolated her from any form of social life.
Mary drew a nice smile on her face every morning while her heart was bleeding and her energy was draining. She loved her husband despites his endless fits. Still, she needed to be loved and nurtured in return. Her heart longed for its missing source of energy. And, as she ignored her Body Whispers for years, they shouted louder and louder until they turned into screams.
Mary's operation was a wake-up call. Her life was at stake and she needed to do some changes. Many times, we cannot change our environment or circumstances, but we sure can change our perceptions, beliefs and choices and these are what matter the most.
As I helped Mary change her diet, manage her stress and exercise. I also helped her heal her heart, which is the crucial factor in her healing journey.
She needed to ditch the victimhood mentality and proceeded to embrace life with all its ups and downs. She also learned to add joys into her everyday existence; she re-engaged with her community and chose to embrace her experience with grace and gratitude not helplessness and despair.
And, as she added little pleasures and joys into her life, she no longer needed fats and sweets as her emotional comfort. She learned to nurture her heart and soul and properly nourish her body and feed her mind.
With an uplifted spirit and regained stamina, Mary now had more energy to take better care of her husband and give him the love and support he needed. Not, surprisingly, this amazing change in her personality and temper was soon reflected on his behaviour and the bipolar cycling pattern was greatly reduced. When he was in his depressive/down state, Mary had the energy to give him the care and love he needed and when he was in his grandiose/ manic phase, she now had the patience and tolerance to embrace the experience.
Mary's story is one of tens I meet every day. The story may change, but the underlying pattern is always the same… LISTEN. Deep inside you heart knows what it really needs. All you have to do is listen!