Navigating the funks ;)

Yesterday morning I was in a funk. I didn’t feel like doing anything productive or creative. I also didn’t want to spend the whole day like that.

Luckily it was warm and sunny out, so I went for a walk and called an old friend. It shifted my perspective and state of being. It then led to me playing music with her- over the phone. And just like that a heartwarming, deeply connective moment came out of a funk.

For me this pandemic, and social isolating, is causing me to let go like never before. So I can’t go out freely in my community to meet up with friends and family. I can still call them and connect with them in new ways.

When I’m not moving my body enough I notice that emotional stuff gets stuck, and I bounce back and forth like a pinball. You ever feel like that? I’m unable to focus, and unable to experience joy in anything I do. When I don’t choose supportive practices right away, it keeps me in this limbo-place longer. That’s not helpful for anyone.

With so much mental and emotional information to process right now, it’s important that I step up my self-care practices. It can be simple. Taking one small, baby step out of the funk can cause a positive domino effect, like it did for me today.

What small steps help you when you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or irritable?

Balanced Digestion takes more than Discipline

Yes, you may need more discipline AND….a bit of compassion.  I spoke to a woman last night after I gave a talk on digestion.  She recounted her years of struggling with digestive issues.  After all that effort and attention, the issue was continuing to worsen.  She mentioned that what she needed was “more discipline.”  I get it, I’ve been there.  I’ve gone to extreme elimination diets and still felt horrible.  Discipline and diet are only part of the issue.

How we do one thing gives us a pretty good idea of how we do everything else in our lives.

Am I making this healthy eating thing complicated and difficult?  Am I forcing myself into a mold that just doesn’t fit?  Am I looking for that outside source – i.e. broccoli, a superfood, organic free-range chicken—to fulfill me?

Start from where you are, and love that.

Easier said than done sometimes, but it’s crucial for us moving through discomfort and disease.  Acknowledge where you are.  Acknowledge that you didn’t have time to make your lunch.  Be grateful that you recognized that, and purchased a wonderful store-bought meal to nourish yourself.  Be present with what is and start with gratitude.  As you become more and more present, you will be more in touch with your needs.  You’ll recognize that you didn’t have time today, and you’ll see the need to make time tomorrow.

Basically we’re balancing the masculine and feminine energies.  The masculine is about form and function.  It may be the specific foods and actions that support our health.  And…we must hold the feminine energy as well.  Whether or not the meal in front of us is the ideal, we can stop, smell the steamed veggies, and enjoy every bite.  In the end, it’s not about a destination.  It’s not about being perfect – because we never will be, and that’s boring anyway.  It’s about experiencing each moment of the journey, and learning and growing along the way.

Be gentle.  Keep it simple.  Taste every bite.