MY BODY, MY TEACHER, MY FRIEND..............

Hi Every0ne  ~   I am really excited about this new group and I also wish to address Healthy Living from a spiritual perspective as well.   We can't really separate the physical from the spiritual in any aspect of life, as all are interconnected.   So for my first article I would like to share one woman's story about chronic pain and the need to be deeply connected within.

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By Michelle Renee Johnson

One can see most anything in life as a blessing or a curse. That is the beauty of perspective. And for me, like anyone who has experienced an extended period of time in chronic physical pain knows, this choice is not always easy. Looking at it from my soul’s perspective, however, the blessings have become pretty clear – experiencing chronic pain in the physical body for a portion of my life has been one of the most valuable growth opportunities my soul could have possibly chosen.

A friend mentioned the other day that one of her goals for this year was to get more in touch with her body. Because she tended to be in good health, she noticed that she was often disconnected from her body and its needs until she was really run down and ended up with a cold or flu. I realized as I listened to her what a foreign concept that was to me. Disconnected from my body? Unaware of its needs? How could that be possible? I realized yet another blessing of choosing chronic pain as a part of the soul’s path.

Through my experience with chronic pain in my neck, joints, and digestive system (a result of Mercury poisoning, bulimia, a car accident and other factors chosen by my soul to “wake me up” over 12 years ago…) I became intimately connected with every little part of my body and how my emotions, beliefs and interactions with others affected it. I treated it horribly for years in my unconsciousness giving it physical and emotional poison and it responded with equal retaliation. Over time we had to learn to work as a team, listening to each other and honoring the other’s needs. It taught me to slow down, listen more before I act, and the deep importance of acceptance. And in turn I am now guiding it through the process of surrender, helping it to release anything it is still holding on to. I have learned how to flood it with love, light and deep appreciation and can feel how it is opening and softening as a result.

Being deeply connected to my body is just one of the wonderful benefits of my years of chronic pain. Over the years, this vessel has taught me so much about myself and ultimately we have become dear friends. I think of it as equivalent to a captain’s love for its boat. We have weathered every storm, initially at odds with each other and eventually as a cohesive team. And I am excited to know that our journey is still just beginning and that our connection over time will only deepen. Let us see, dear body, what this life has in store for us next… http://expandingjoycoaching.com/blog/

By tuning in to my own body which has endured chronic pain and chronic autoimmune diseases, I know it does not need huge meals, but a slow-release of Low to Medium Glycaemic-Index foods.  As I can't move very quickly, my digestion is slower so I have in my pantry some healthy snack foods to boost my protein levels and also keeps my blood sugars hopefully in an acceptable range!!!

The combination of raw mixed nuts with some high fibre dried fruits is a great boost for my overall physical health.  They are packed with condensed nutrients such as minerals for repairing those cells that tend to get attacked from autoimmune activity.  Dried Goji berries and blueberries are superfoods for frequently depleted systems.

Having this group also keeps me more focused on my health and also searching for latest news and recipes for better health and eating.

Namaste and Love, Tara Mary.