Yesterday, I wrote about how listening to another is one of the greatest gifts we can offer. And on the other hand, how healing this same listening can be for us when someone returns the favor.
But what about when our physical body talks to us? Our life would be so much simpler if we could use the same intensity to listen to our body’s physical and emotional and spiritual symptoms as we do when we listen to someone else intently.
Our body usually begins with a whisper and says something like, “I am tired, I need more sleep.” But instead of going to bed earlier, or taking a nap, or clearing the calendar, we consume an extra cup of coffee or soda or chocolate to get a boost of energy. We ignore the message, hoping it will go away.
But our body is persistent and will eventually demand to be heard. We ignore its symptoms at our own peril.
Deepak Chopra, M.D., has suggested the following signals that our body sends to us:
- Yes to balance, no to imbalance.
- Yes to moderation, no to excess.
- Yes to regular rhythms in activity, no to erratic schedules.
- Yes to deep rest at regular intervals, no to lack of sleep.
- Yes to being in your comfort zone, no to constant stress.
The human body is an amazing communicator. The question is, “Are we listening?”
What has your body been saying to you lately? What messages has it been trying to communicate to you?
Let’s listen to our body with an attentive ear. It is one of the most important things we can do to simplify our lives.
Now, if I can just practice what I preach.
I needed to hear this-I knew everything you wrote but it is like a good story it needs to be told -Thanks Malcolm
Hey James, yep, it’s that practicing of what we already know that is our challenge, isn’t it? Thanks for your comment, take care.
Interestingly, my body is saying thank you. My forties are turning out to be okay. (Except for the creaky knee and the shoulder impingement, but whaddya gonna do…)
Katharine, I am glad to hear your body is saying thank you. What an inspiration you are to me! Keep on being who you are my friend.
Ouch!
I am so sorry, Jody, that your body is saying “Ouch” right now! Peace and comfort.