Two lasting pieces of wisdom stood out from our morning together: First, we all come from water and we must constantly work to replenish it. This is more than the futile promise I've made to myself all these years, "I really need to drink more water". No, I need to actually DO it, not just talk about it as if it's something beyond my control or reach. So I immediately started doing it. Filled my 2L Nalgene and took 7 sips. We had spoken of the 7 sacred directions so I wanted to make this ceremonial. Now I take 7 gulps each time I reach for it, every 2 hours. While I am not breaking any records, I can say I am drinking 7 gulps x 8 waking instances. So 56 more gulps than I had been taking the day prior. The next step in my plan is to switch to hourly gulps (on Wednesday). This will give me 112 gulps which I approximate to be the full 2L bottle. Goal reached in 3 days. I will report back, but most importantly - I am already feeling the benefits of increased hydration on my energy and mood. It's amazing!
I mentioned there were two teachings that stood out from Jenny's restorative session. This second one seems harder to honour, but I am going to set an intention to do it as it is just so obvious that it needs to be done.
Jenny explained that we all have something that is our natural gift. That we can do easily and which brings us instant joy. Many people have several such gifts. She gave examples like art, singing, reading, writing, cooking, etc. What she said was that we need to be honouring this gift by practicing it daily. Not once a week or whenever we can find the time - but daily, unless we have a day (as we always will) here and there where pausing all things to heal and rejuvenate takes priority. On this day it is ok to not practice our gift. But every other day we absolutely need to do it in some form or another, even if in the smallest way. Why is this you may be asking, just as I did? Because it is who we are, it is why we are here in this universe, to use and honour this gift and in doing so, honouring ourselves. Even better if we can share our gift with others (for me by writing to you daily, for example).
Let me break down how I applied this to my own life, in a manner of 10 minutes actually, on the brief car ride home from the workshop:
My gifts are writing and photography. I know this as my truth now, no more "I'm not really that good". I am. These are my gifts and passions. Now, comically, I've been trying since my last big blog post mid-October to "find time" to write an update on my new KAOE Facebook page. At first there was a justifiable wait as I was awaiting news of scan results and next steps. But I have had that info for over a month and still no updates. So what is the hold-up? Me! I wanted to wait until I had time to write the perfect post, instead of simply writing a post that would serve the perfect purpose - to get writing daily and to honour my gift! Bonus that you would've all been kept informed weeks ago as promised, my story would've been told as it happened, and creating community - perhaps my third gift (I'd like to think so) - would have been an effortless by-product. So simple, right? But instead I chose old ways, overthink it, stifle any action, and feel bad about myself and lack of productivity. Well, no longer!
Here is my new plan, not my promise. I plan to post daily on my KAOE page something, anything, that I am inspired to write and share regarding my journey. Some will be medical updates, others may be insights or lighter thoughts I wish to share and reflect on with you, and others still may simply be a photograph of something that captured my eye. You know how I love to highlight the beauty of the seemingly mundane...
So there. This post just fell from my pen in one fell swoop in let's see, 12 minutes. I don't think I will even do any content editing. I will insist on one read for punctuation and grammatical editing (now complete!) as I simply can't stand writing that is poorly punctuated. It inhibits the flow of the message.
So that's it! I look forward to reading your comments on this awakening of my soul with the help and encouragement of an amazing spiritual leader. Write or photograph daily. Share these gifts with my growing community. Drink water to give my body what it needs to heal and to be my most precious fortress.
My new chapter was written on December 9, 2024. When will yours be written, and what is holding you back from writing it? I can't wait to hear from you all. Keep me abreast of you!
Photo Credit: Ellen Nadarajah
One of "The Guardians of Our Healing Forest," perched in the back of the Misiwe Ni Healing Lodge.
Yours,
Ellen
Ellen, that’s beautiful! I wish I could do the same. I mean take the 10 minutes a day to do the writing. I have to work on this one. The water drinking is not so much of a problem for me since I am constantly drinking water. But your day sounds beautiful and I still want your update. Many hugs and love
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your beautiful and inspiring post! I love your writing and your photography!! Mine is drawing and painting and I have been working on bringing it back into my daily life. It's a constant push to stay true to myself and make the time happen.
ReplyDeleteAs always, your post is truly inspiring! I'm going to give your 7 gulps method a go too as I really need to drink more water too. Your gifts are definitely photography and writing, you're so talented in both areas and I love it when I see your posts as I know I'm in for a good read. 7 is also my special number, my grandfather was born on 7th July 1907. I'm going to try and start dedicating 10 minutes of my day to something I love, all I do is work and I need some fun relief from that, even if it's just 10 minutes of boogying in the living room to my fave music!
ReplyDeleteEllen you may not believe me when I say this but I think of you every morning when I drink water. Years ago a bunch of us were talking about water drinking and you said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world "the first thing I do in the morning is drink a BIG glass of water" and I got that "Dang I wish I was one of those people who drink a BIG glass of water every morning first thing."
ReplyDeleteThis Fall I went back to office from working from home for quite a while and a nurse colleague was on my case about not taking lunch breaks. I admitted to her I've been going for YEARS without anything in my stomach all day, no breakfast, no lunch, no water just 2-3 coffees every day. I decided to "Turn over a new leaf" and have a BIG glass of water and not skip meals. I cannot believe the difference in my mental clarity when I drink the water. It's like night and day.
Off to have my BIG glass now! Have a wonderful day, beautiful! xo
Thank you for sharing these heartwarming and action provoking gifts with us. I will drink lots of water today while I ponder what special gifts are mine to practice daily and share. Thank you Ellen.
ReplyDeleteHei Ellen - love the water idea - I try to drink enough - but it is usually one glass in the morning, and one with dinner - I know the importance- so from now on I will set the timer - each hour drink 7 x like you do. About those ten minutes - I have so many projects around the house but my excuse is I don’t have enough time to do it so guess what; I never start… need to do something about that. I miss having «me» time - it’s like you forget what you love doing… have to change! Thank you Ellen. Hugs Therese
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