People often say that getting started is the hardest part. This is definitely the case when we aren’t even aware of the need to make a change. So many things seem so obvious in retrospect, yet as the slow stealthy process of atrophy of the muscles, the mind, and the spirit set in we can often find ourselves at a loss for how we got to the point we are at now. Whether its the scale going up and our mobility going down, the loss of strength and coordination, the ease of learning or believing in our ability to do new challenging tasks, or waking up and realizing how disconnected you feel not only to others, but to who you are; these things sneak up on us. By the time we realize somethings gotta give we’ve allowed things to slip for so long the scale is terrifying, new things and challenges are met with aggression and fear or paralysis, and we don’t even trust ourselves to know that our body, mind, and soul can be healed.
I’ve unfortunately experienced many of these in my own life. Living a life so focused on the pain and healing of others and the happiness of those around me that I completely drained any notion of anything left for myself. Shutting myself off to all the rich possibilities for my life simply because I allowed my failings to cast an eclipsing shadow over anything but a narrow view of what the future could hold. Putting my dreams in a box with a tightly latched lid that resembled less the look of a storage unit and more the look of a coffin. Watching my once spectacular body that had speed, rigor, and agility now stumble, creak and crack, and be in constant pain; the notion of healing seems like a pipe dream.
No one gets the magic fix and though pharmaceutical companies, influencers, and the bro science yoga, fitness, and nutrition self proclaimed gurus often make it look like magic, it more undoubtedly is less magic and more trick. Fortunately we do have people out there who’ve shared their stories, particularly their struggles and how this has been a journey for them. Though not as flashy as the rapid transformations we see marketed to us on every platform imaginable, they do give us the understanding that they earned their recovery. Doing what they didn’t want to do, swallowing their pride, showing up every day no matter what excuse their mind tries to tell them to justify not continuing the hard thing.
Historically I don’t get into action until the pain of my current course is greater than the pain of the course to change it. For me it never starts with some rapid shift, a catharsis, or Devine intervention but rather small integrations into my daily life tied to things I was already doing. Some of the tools I had helped people with for years become tools to be used on myself. Seeking guidance from others in the field, learning the techniques and processes from others, even having my daughter educate me on proper lifting form (which saved me from several recurring injuries and absolutely played a big role in healing what I believed was a tear in my shoulder.)
Where to start? The answer, just start. Start with something, something simple, familiar, and that feels right then build from there. The simplest starting point that has served all areas of my life and to put me into action when I fall out of taking care of myself is a simple 20 minute walk. The practice that leads to a habit is to go for a walk 20 minutes a day no matter what, rain or shine, sleet or snow, consistency is key to begin healing mind, body, and soul. Daily walking is the greatest catalyst for change and for stepping into your next healthy practice. Give 20 minutes to yourself to walk, outside, free of distractions, and remember, your steps don’t have to be tracked for them to count.
1 Comment