Setting Limits

Throughout each day I think of many interesting and helpful things to blog about, but then as soon as I sit down at the computer my mind goes as blank as the page. Which explains why it's been over a year and a half since I've posted a blog (!!).  Today I decided I would write anyway. Even if it has nothing to do with bodywork or wellness or anything at all.

This morning it rained. The beautiful, blessed, drenching rain was a symphony for early morning drowsing. But yesterday, as the clouds gathered and humidity rose, I felt my muscles and joints gather tension and pain as if the moisture was gathering in my body too. I woke this morning aching and fuzzy, and as I looked at my schedule I realized I had a four hour chair massage fundraiser and 3 hours of bodywork on the books. 

Instead of berating myself for making such a poor choice (I am well aware that kind of day is overtaxing to my body, mind and spirit), and then forcing myself to do what I had agreed to do, I simply picked up the phone and cancelled my afternoon clients. 

I cannot begin to describe how good that felt. Instead of the all too familiar "tough love" approach, I was finally parenting myself with patience, care, and logical limits.

Unbelievably, before I finished the second text the aches and pains had completely disappeared from my body and my spirit soared. It was as if my body no longer had to try to set my limits for me, because I had finally taken on that role for myself.

I am left wondering how often do our bodies manifest symptoms to try to get us to slow down? What would have happened had I listened to that little voice that said, "Hey, that's a little too much work for one day!" If  we started listening to those voices, would our bodies stop creating so much pain and anguish?

I'm so grateful  for this beautiful rain today! I'm so happy for the opportunity to learn how to set better limits for myself. And I'm so excited to post a blog, even if it's not really about anything at all!

Image credit Michael Smolla