Healthy Reflections

For the past six weeks I have been home convalescing. I had to have an umbilical hernia surgery and the recovery has been surprisingly slow. I thought that six weeks would be too long for someone like me. (Whatever that means.) I was told to lift no more than 10 pounds, no sit-ups, no core work.. . you get the picture. It sounds easy enough and it was, but it took a lot of mental preparation for me to get there. You see, I have always prided myself on being strong and not your average strong, I mean Peeta Mellaark , 50 pound bag of flour tossing strong! I am a baker and as a baker we lift obnoxiously heavy things daily. I was always very proud of what I was able to accomplish in the kitchen and it became a huge part of my identity. Now, I was being told to hold back and dial it down for health's sake. Strength was about to take on a whole new meaning.

Prayer and meditation helped me to realize that there are many ways to be strong. STRENGTH IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK IT IS. In fact the Western ideas about strength are perverted and detrimental to human life. I have found that more often then not these perversions seek to serve an energy other than that which supports our well being whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual. Who/what was I serving? Was I serving my higher purpose?

I have had six weeks to figure all of this out. Six weeks to let go and fully cooperate with the energy of healing and rejuvenation. Honestly, there have been some ups and some pretty intense downs. But what was I to expect? I can be so unrealistic. Years of putting my body through the wringer, ignoring aches and pains, and not getting nearly enough sleep isn't going to be resolved in six measly weeks. But I have to say that I have found a new strength. One that serves me first and when properly utilized brings rejuvenation and light. Cooperate with the spirit of good health. Let it teach and guide you to longevity so that you can live to accomplish all that you came here for.