I know you've been there,


It was a doozy.  Honestly, I haven't been hit that hard in years. I rolled over one early morning in bed last week with a tight chest, tickly throat, and an immense amount fatigue. I knew things were going awry when all I could imagine doing is taking a big huge nap – in the middle of the work day.

I am not one to give up quickly when it comes to feeling healthy and strong, so I did what I always do...

  • I pulled out the immune boosters
  • The herbal remedies
  • The homemade chicken soup 
  • The fresh ginger lemon tea
  • The essential oils

...that list goes on.

After a day or two, I had no choice, it got me.  

Being sick totally sucks when we have things to do, but I knew I had no choice but to find the silver lining. Today, I want to share a few things with you that I learned last week – in my PJ's, from my comfy bed.

 

 5 Truths I Learned from the FLU


We all have a lot going on:  big to-do lists each week,  people who need us, meals to cook, meetings to go to, clients to call, homework that is due, classes to attend and social engagements we DON'T want to miss. I am totally with you on feeling the big fullness of life. Taking a break from it all is something most of us don't get to do very often – unless we have no choice.  

Finding our flow with how we feel, what we need, and how to best take care of ourselves is tricky when our trusty ego and determined minds get in the way.  I learned a few things last week that I want to share with you today.  These truths took a couple days to sink in, but in due time, life is always my teacher.  

 

1.   SURRENDER

 

I am fighter, with a determined innovative strong will, and a "we will find a way" personality – it is literally part of my DNA. I was born this way.  I have trained myself from a very young age to persevere, push through, be tough and not give up.  

So...that was NOT working at all with the FLU.  

First of all I ran out of the energy to fight.  Second, I developed the 'FLU apathy' – not caring can actually be pretty liberating.

 

The moment I surrendered was the moment I experienced freedom. 

 

2.  SIMPLIFY

 

I carry a pretty full plate. I juggle a lot. I know many of you can relate. I truly enjoy being fully engaged in life.  Some of my deadlines are self imposed.  My many goals have a lot of stepping stones. Honestly, I am pretty inspired by my to-do list most days.  

In the wee dark hours of the night, as I began dreading the busy day ahead, I realized...I have a choice. I took many many things off my plate last week. It was exhilarating. I halted projects so I could nap.  I cancelled meetings, so I wouldn't make myself worse (or spread this 'ICK' to others).  I substituted exercise with sleep...ahhhh.  I cancelled a couple of clients (who wants a coughing nutritionist) and took long hot baths. It is amazing what we can let go of when we NEED to.  

 

Simplicity is the ultimate satisfaction.

 

3.  RECEIVE

 

Along with my strong will and determined personality (my mother would agree),  I also do not like asking for help.  I am really working on it.  

When I was down and out, ironically I didn't have a choice.  I had "help me" written in neon lights on my forehead.  

Ari, my son, made me a lot of ginger tea (I taught him well).  Jason, my loving partner, took great care of me in a thousand different ways.  My friends and family called to check in. I needed help, so I let it in.  I practiced receiving love and support, and it started to feel really good.  I highly recommend it.

 

The circle of giving and receiving requires us to participate in both the giving and the receiving for the circle to flow.

 

4.  LISTEN

 

The wisdom of our bodies is always there to guide us, we just have to be willing to listen.  Often, listening requires getting out of our own way and letting go of our prior agendas.  When we are feeling off, our cravings change, our appetites change, our sleep requirements change, and our most basic needs present themselves.

As you begin to eliminate the business of life through simplifying, you will be able to turn up the volume on your inner attentiveness. You may have to let go of your regular structures and practices for a while, but being adaptive and fluid is an important quality for your self-care.

 

Wisdom is to the soul what health is to the body.

 

5.  LAUGH

 

All week long I new I had an important mission: Saturday night we had tickets to see Lisa Lampenelli, one of the funniest comedians out there, at the Paramount Theater in Denver.  We had a swanky hotel room to stay in, and I knew I needed to laugh.

So, the clouds parted, as they often do when the time is right. I miraculously felt a lot better by Saturday afternoon. We packed our over night bags, headed to the city, and I promised myself I would ease my way back into the world.  

We sat in the theater for 2 1/2 hours Saturday night, tears rolling down our cheeks with laughter.  I felt amazing. In fact, it may have been the exact thing I needed to turn the final corner.  

Pleasure is one of the most healing forces on the planet. Pleasure creates a biochemical reaction in the body that boosts our immune systems, decreases pain, suffering, inflammation, and detoxifies our bodies (and minds).  

Laughter is about as pleasure based as it gets.  After all that laughter, I slept so deep.  I woke up Sunday morning feeling like a new person.  Who knew, the best medicine could be that simple.

 

Laughter is a sunbeam to the soul.

 

I hope you stay strong amidst this seasonal transition. Rest, restore, receive and remember to laugh.  

I will be doing the same...