"Ya-Ya Mija"

When I was a little girl, my mom used to hold me in her arms and rock me, saying softly, "ya-ya mija", whenever I needed to be comforted.  It's amazing how comforting I still find those words when said ever so softly and gently.  Lately, I've been needing that kind of nurturing.  For the past month, I've had a nasty virus, a broken toe, a sinus infection, and asthma attacks.  I've been tired and cranky to say the least.  I wonder why I've been so sick lately?  Is it because most of my work days are 10-12 hours, 6 days a week?  Is it because I've been exploring beliefs in my soul coaching sessions that center on the physical?  Beliefs around body image and aging.  Is it because I no longer wake up to my own bio-rhythms but instead a blasting alarm clock?  Is it because I don't have time to keep my house clean and chores done?  Is it simply because this is cold and flu season?  There are plenty of reasons as to why I've been sick.  But more importantly, what can I do to heal?  In my Soul Coaching sessions, we explore beliefs around health and wellness, making sure I keep only the healthy belief systems.  It's tiring work to look at every little belief one has deep within her/his psyche, letting go of the ones that no longer fit and keeping those that are positive.  

Working long hours, having started a new job, and exploring negative beliefs have all overwhelmed me and put me under stress.  This could be why I've been dealing with physical illness.  Stress is the leading factor related to health and wellness.  But more importantly, I've not yet found a way to include fun.  I have yet to find the balance of work and play.  When I was a kid, I loved biking, skating, dancing, hanging out with my friends, and listening to music.  Since being sick, I haven't had a chance to bike, skate, dance or spend time with friends but my iPod is always playing.  Thank goodness for music!  It's the comforting voice of my mom's "ya-ya mija" in a different way.  And it's always readily available.  To every musician out there, thank you.  Thank you for the gift of comfort, healing, and joy!  Thank you for nurturing me.  

The Importance of Playing!

Practice what you preach! Those are the words that go through my mind as I encourage others to make time for themselves and give to themselves as much as they would give to others. But I'm just as guilty of taking better care of everyone else than myself. For the past 2-3 weeks now, I have been suffering from burn-out. A job hazard for sure in my line of work! And now I am no good to anyone...especially myself! I am tired, irritable, feeling resentful, isolating myself, and lacking excitement for life. (Sounds very similar to depression, doesn't it?) This week is my last week of work before I head out for vacation. A long overdue vacation! I haven't had a vacation in 2 years! Just to write that makes me a little sad. To think that I haven't made time for myself. Sure, I've had the occasional 3-day week-end, gone to get a massage now and again, and I've hung out with friends. But we all need to recharge by getting away from it all and focusing on our needs. Being self-employed, I've realized how much time and energy goes into my business. From seeing clients to managing the books to marketing the business, I invest more time into it than I do myself. I've also realized that since moving 4 years ago, I haven't quite settled into my lifestyle of fun and activities. I've certainly gotten involved in groups like Soroptimist, am the Vice President of my local chapter of CAMFT (CA Marriage Family Therapists), and have been politically active. But that is still giving to others! But what I haven't done much of are the things that I really enjoy like salsa dancing, biking, playing tennis, going to cultural arts events, going to plays, roller blading, wine tasting, and spending time in nature. (see that picture up there...that's beautiful Bidwell Park in the fall...and it's only 5 miles away from where I live!) All of these activities are accessible to me. But I need to make the time to, as the Nike commercials suggest, JUST DO IT! I need to play! We all have the need to play! So, I encourage all of you to get in touch with your inner playful child and do the things that you used to do when you were a kid! How did you play? I encourage you to practice what I call The Art of Self-Care by eating right, exercising regularly, socializing, doing date night with your spouse and leaving the kids at home, and just playing! Feel free to let us know how you play! Either leave comments here or if you're on Facebook feel free to look me up at FlorenceMFT and become a fan! You may also visit my website at www.florencemft.com. Now let's play! (photo courtesy of Carleen Clark)