Is your path a little hazy?

Does your path or journey in life seem a little hazy right now? Can you see the forest for the trees?

Here in the PNW, we’ve had the worst air quality in history, as forest fires burn around us, records are being set for lack of rain (a chance tomorrow!) and those with respiratory conditions are cautioned to stay indoors. A much anticipated camping trip with our 6 yr. old grandson this weekend has been cancelled as we administer nebulizer treatments to him every 4 hours and play hours on the Wii, which is a special treat in itself. We are making the most of an unfortunate situation, yet I’m grateful for time to catch up on little things around the house while he naps, and capture the time which would be spent cleaning up all that gear upon our return. Oh, darn he just wet the bed during his nap, which helps me learn the lesson of rolling with the punches. I sort of lost it with Papa who laid down with him and forgot about going potty first.

Back to the gratitude about the change in plans, the fact that campfires would be prohibited takes some of the joy out of the camping experience as well. It’s really about looking at the world through a new filter, sometimes the blue sky is faded, but oh my, does that setting orange sun glow brilliant as never before.

Sometimes our vision of what we imagined is so different than our current reality. Our marriage may have disintegrated, or the health of our partner is considerably compromised, affecting the plans we’d made together. Or the health of our children or grandchildren has us in a caregiving role, which is happening with several of my friends right now. These circumstances arise out of no where, and can shake us to our core.

One thing I can be certain of as we age, is that bad shit is going to happen. We must have a firm foundation of health, and an unshakeable heart (as my dear friend calls it) to protect us from the onslaught of worry and concern that has the potential to cause our own set of health issues. How do we refocus the blurry vision (often because of our own tears) to bolster our capacity for continued growth, compassion and understanding for ourselves and our loved ones? One answer: Self Care. It takes many forms, and one we often neglect is quiet time, beingness. . instead of doingness. Particularly during the summer months, when we are cramming in vacations, extra activities, and often less attention to proper sleep and good nutrition, we can neglect the importance of self care.

So, today I encourage you to grab a book, a journal, some filtered water in lieu of a cold cocktail and nurture YOU. Make it a point everyday to fit in 30 min. for YOUR mini-vacation. Give to yourself what you’ve been giving to others for years. . undivided love and attention. You SO deserve it.