S is for Self-Care

Letter of the Day:  S

S is for Self-Care and Slumdog Millionaire.

If you don't take care of yourself and tend to your needs, how are you going to be healthy enough to create?  You need to claim time for yourself (see tomorrow's guest post by Cher), and you need to nurture your creative soul. 

Have you ever taken yourself on an Artist's Date?  This idea comes from Julia Cameron in her book The Artist's Way.  This book is filled with great ways to unblock your creative spirit and get you to take steps towards building your art.  If you haven't worked your way through it, I recommend you find a creative partner and do it together.  It's great to talk through the ideas and exercises together and you'll always have a cheerleader for your creative endeavors.

This week, I took a much needed Artist's Date.  I drove to a nearby town and visited the locally owned bookstore.  I loved it.  I chatted with the owner, and he said he was interested in bringing books to a Dementia Awareness workshop that's being organized by a group I've recently joined, LAMAA (Lakes Area Memory Awareness Advocates).

Then, I stopped at a cute store called:

It's a coffee/tea shop that also sells loose leaf tea and coffee beans.  I was so excited to see that they carry a few of my favorites.  My best tea lady closed shop in town a few years ago, and I hadn't discovered this place, yet. 

I made myself a cup of Evening in Missoula tonight.  Mmmm. hits the spot.  It has mint and herbs and other soothing plants, which is good, especially during allergy season.

I also picked up some flowers for my mom.  I wrote "Happy Spring" on the card.  It includes her birthday, Easter, and Mother's Day.  She lives a ways away where it is now quite swampy and flooded, but she said the roads should be open by Friday.

One more thing that fed this "starving" artist was listening to Dawn's CD during the drive.  (She wrote the guest post on R Day.)  Her music and voice are gorgeous.

And, a quick review of Slumdog Millionaire.  It's intense.  I was so nervous the first time I watched it.  I was afraid it would be too violent or heart-wrenching for me.  And, yes, there are a few tough scenes, especially with the children.  It depicts a place filled with strife and violence.  But, it's a story of survival.  I am drawn in by those stories.  I had to see it to the end.  I figured it wouldn't have gotten such rave reviews, Oscar nominations and awards, if it wasn't a strong and satisfying story.  It is.  I didn't know it was a love story.  Despite all the struggles, all the ugliness of that place and time, the corruption of some of the people, Good triumphs over evil - with great sacrifice.  I was left feeling hope in the end.

Journaling Prompt:  Where would you like to go on an Artist's Date?

Word for the Year

Quote of Day:  "You don't choose a word if you're a writer as a golf pro chooses a club with the shot in mind.  You choose it with yourself in mind - your needs, your passions.  It has to carry the green, yes, but it must also carry YOU." - Archibald MacLeish

Here I am at Robert's Bookstore in Lincoln, Oregon, choosing the right words for me.  I have been on a journey of self-disovery for several years now.

In 2008, my word was Courage.
In 2009, my word was Healing
In 2010, my word was Rhythm
Now, in 2011, my word is Embrace.

In my latest blog post, Arms Open Wide, I wrote about opening my arms to change, to the new year and all the possibilities.  From that visual, I found my word, embrace.  That means that I am open to what's waiting for me, and I'll embrace who I am, my unique gifts and talents, the path I'm intended to be on, and all the parts of me, whatever shape they're in.

I was talking with a friend yesterday about finding our word for 2011.  She chose, Energy!  That's a great one.  We started naming all the ways we can get energy:  food, exercise, people, the right environment, rest, nature, beauty, art, music, conversation.  Can you think of more?

Journaling Prompt:  What's your word or phrase for 2011?  Go on, embrace it!

Self Care

Quote of the Day: Be sure to secure your own oxygen mask first, then assist others. Pre-flight safety instructions

In the case of drowning, maintain your own safety and reach, throw, assist while attached to your own life-saving device.

These are important words of survival. What good are you to others if your breathing is impaired or you're over your head, drowning in the sea of life? How can you effectively care for others if your own health is suffering?

Would you ever consider going off by yourself, without your family? You might bring a friend, or you might just need time to take care of yourself. So many women give of themselves so much that they completely neglect their own needs. They wake from much needed sleep to nurse a baby or calm a nightmare. I've helped kids get to school and take care of them in between runs to the bathroom to puke, or while my body is shaking from the chills and fever of the flu. No one else will do it, right? Not really. I could have called a friend. I could have insisted that their dad come get them. I could have said, "I just can't do it." But, a real woman doesn't say that, does she?

When women hear messages like, "Take care of your neighbor," and "Don't live a selfish life," followed by, "You are only truly living when you live for others," they take it to mean that they shouldn't even buy themselves a pair of new socks, much less get a massage, or go off on a weekend by herself. If she were to do any of those "selfish" things, she feels she must earn it, win it in a radio contest or something like that, or sell her own plasma so that the guilt of it all won't ruin the experience. We give our friends and family our time, our health, and our possessions. But, what if what they really needed was a happy, healthy mom (friend, daughter, wife, etc)?  Have you ever considered the message you're sending your daughters or your sons by being totally self-sacrificing?  What could they learn from your self-care and watching you pursue your dreams?

What fills you up? Do you need someone to rub your sore muscles? Would you relax as you soaked your feet and had someone paint your toes? Do you need to eat dinner at a restaurant where they wait on you? And, if you do, don't wipe up your own mess! Coffee with a friend? New socks? Or, do you need a morning of listening to music and sipping hot tea because you're stuffed up from allergies?

Here I am with my cousin Angie, sister Joy, sisterly friend JeMA, and me at a recent women's retreat at Mount Carmel!

The women's retreat from this month, a recent massage and pedicure, and time with a good friend have done much to heal me and fill me with the energy and love I need to care for others.

Journaling Prompt: What's your oxygen mask? Find a way to take care of yourself today and write about it. How do you feel?