taking care of me

Today is my first day off in 7 days. During this past week filled with Mother's day retail sales I got a really bad cough, something strong enough that I need a prescription for. I'm still slowly fighting this lung infection or whatever it is, but today, on this wonderful sunny bird chirping day I put my fabric and iron down (started sewing) and decided to go for a run. As I was slowly jogging for what felt like 5 minutes but was really....30 seconds my breath was getting shorter and I was no longer able to exhale from my nose. My body, even though aching through the climb of stairs in the ravine, felt like it was finally free. My body was able to do all of the things it had longed for. Air was going to my lungs, air filled with sun, birds chirping, heavy with allergies season was being inhaled and exhaled freely. I FELT ALIVE. Blood was circulating, my muscles contracting (I'm assuming that was the pain I felt), my nose was leaking, and my mind was finally rested and peaceful for 2 whole minutes.

Even though I felt like I was dying and started coughing so hard I thought I might puke, I felt my body thanking me to release it and to let it do what it was meant to do.

I used to be quite fit; playing soccer, riding my bike to get to places or walking to and from school, but over the years you trade in that bike for a car, you start eating like crap because you can and whose gonna stop you anyways right? I haven't played soccer for a few seasons now due to numerous reasons... and I just took a look at the grad dress I wore for my bf's grad thinking hey I can wear this at one of the numerous weddings coming up, and well..... Its about half my size now!

I'm not writing to say that I've gained weight and how I'm immediately going to start a cleanse and work out like mad.

I'm writing to say we all forget to take care of the one person that needs the most of it; ourselves. Without caring for our own body there isn't too much we can do. I am prone to catching any bug that's floating in the air, I rarely feel very well rested and I am so out of shape its pathetic (as described above!)

With all of our busy schedules;working, going to school, saving money, studying, watching tv, catching up with old friends, facebooking, reading a book, doing absolutely nothing, .... we forget to take the time for ourselves.

Do Yoga. Go Jog. Take swimming lessons. Bike to work, to school. Take a walk. Join a gym. Find a work out partner. Do something for you. Can't afford lessons, or a gym membership.... then do something that is free; walk, run, youtube how to do yoga. forget the coffee meeting with a friend do a bike trail and bring a picnic. There is so much that we take for granted and completely forget about. I forgot how I used to walk to my bf's house (since he lives so close). But I got a car and well it was so convenient to be late and drive. I used to play soccer 3 times a week... thank goodness I've joined a slow pitch team to get me to do something physical for 3 hours a week this year!

What I'm trying to say is that I believe God made us in His or Her image and it is up to us to reflect our thank yous through taking care of ourselves. It is really the least we can do. Our bodies are the most amazing machine on this Earth. We should treat it with the utmost care. But we don't. We get busy, we forget, we let ourselves go.

Today I a telling you that if there is one thing you can do for yourself or start doing its taking care of you. Eat well. Drink lots of water. Laugh. Exercise. Enjoy life. But don't forget about YOU. I know its not easy... trust me I eat my fair share of popcorn, have a beer here and there, order take out. But sometimes we have to be able to deny ourselves these pleasures because we all know its no good for us.

So take the time for you this week. Because you deserve it!

-nounou