March 2023 Week 3

I found these quotes this week - which one resonates with you:

“Perfection is an illusion & those who seek perfection will find themselves unfulfilled their whole lives.” Unknown
“Flawed and fabulous….because perfect doesn’t exist and normal is boring.” TheMindsJournal

Our intention this month: I am imperfect, just like everyone else, and thats ok - has been helpful for me. Unfortunately, I identify more with the 1st quote, but would like to move to the acceptance of the 2nd!

If I could truly live in the acceptance of myself, my life and those around me how would it feel? FREEING, LIGHT, JOYFUL!! I know this to be true and I know that we are all flawed, so why do I hold on so tightly to looking back? Wishing I did or said certain things differently? Why do I think my mistakes define me, yet I don’t let the mistakes of others define them in my opinion of them? Ugh, my mind is sooooooo powerful and stubborn! This is where all of my spiritual tools come into play. What is in your spiritual tool kit? Mine is jam packed and I add to it all the time. With my recent health and wellness studies I am adding diet, movement and sleep to my kit.
Here are a few of my daily actions to move into the solution and comfort of spirituality and away from judgement and fear:
Warm lemon water when I wake, followed by green tea, powdered greens in water all before organic decaf coffee mixed with collagen and MCT oil.
Journal, meditate, read daily reflections
Outside activity, no matter what the weather
Yoga, yesterday for my birthday I treated myself to a Kundalini yoga class!
A phone call or walk with at least 1 friend to connect
Healthy meals - anti inflammatory, low sugar, low gluten, organic grass fed meats if having an animal protein, lots of organic fruits and veggies.
A cold ocean dip - this is very spiritual! Connecting to nature and the shock of the cold is my afternoon caffeine!
Possible warm therapy - steam, hot tub or infrared sauna
Nighttime - while watching TV I dim the lights and limit phone scrolling
Sleep is important and post cancer has been a struggle. I try to get the recommended 7-8 hours a night. My bedroom is very cool and I use a white noise machine to block outside noises, I take magnesium as well as CBD (not THC) and melatonin before bed.

I am convinced of the full body, mind and spirit connection - I feel my best when I am feeding these 3 aspects of my health! Did you know 90% of the serotonin (a feel good hormone) in our bodies is produced in our gut, not our brain? Thats crazy!! The more I learn about the gut/brain connection, the more convinced I am that on a daily basis I must attend to my whole self. However, remember we are not perfect! I tell my students during cleanses to follow an 80/20 rule in life - 80% of our days are positive actions, 20% not so much. Can we find the grace to accept ourselves - 20% and all? It takes work, but again my work this year is a deeper self love, I need to stop this pattern of harsh self judgement to attain my goal!