I was thinking we spend so much time dealing with our physical bodies, that many of us may forget to feed and nourish our spirits.
We often forget the old saying " We are not just Bodies with souls, We are Souls with bodies".
So my question to you all is. What do you do to nurture your soul?
I try to do Yoga , I listen to music, read {when I can focus }, Play with my kids, try to paint.
No matter your spiritual path. What do you do?
Love & Light
[ 26. March 2006, 10:15 PM: Message edited by: Yemaya ]
Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on :
read
Posted by arg82 (Member # 161) on :
The biggest thing I do to nuture and renew my soul is to spend time up in Maine with my family on vacation every summer. Since I was little we've been going to the same cottage for a few weeks every summer (my dad has been going there since he was a kid).
It's on a lake with a wonderful dock to lie down on and rest, or a screened in back porch to sit on and listen to the leaves rustle from the wind. It's truly my "happy place" and also my peaceful place and where I feel the most myself.
On a more day-to-day level, I love taking nice long bubble baths (I only get one a week on the day my port-a-cath is de-accessed but that just makes it more enjoyable and makes sure I don't forget about that one bath!).
I also enjoy spending time with my family, especially my brother and sisters (unfortunately my older sister lives across the country in Oregon but I cherish my visits with her) as well as visits with my aunt and uncle in Connecticut on the way back from my LLMD visits and on holidays (and various other times).
We all have to remember the little things that nourish our spirits and make sure we don't get too wrapped up in the everyday pain and struggle. Even in the midst of pain and struggle, momentary peace is possible if you only look in the right place.
Peace and healing, Annie
Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :
- When I am well enough I work on my art....
even if its only for 10 minutes.
- I hang out with my cat.
- Spend time with my family.
This thread was a great idea! Posted by iceskater (Member # 8655) on :
My eyesight is very bad- but, I do Sudoko puzzles- It helps keep my brain going and a sense that this disease hasn't taken everything away from me. Game show channel. Play Jeopardy and Millionaire on line. Anyone need a phone a friend? Strong days to all!!!!!
Posted by lucy96734 (Member # 8372) on :
I go to the beach, hang out with my family, read, do pilates, and do things with my women friends.
Posted by cantgiveupyet (Member # 8165) on :
I hang out with my cat.......she follows me to the bathroom.......making sure i am ok. Shes the best.
I also savor the moments and days i can drive my new car i bought last may when i first got sooo sick. i drive with the sunroof open even when it is cold outside. ( i couldnt drive from August-February)
i try to make jokes about my situation...make up nicknames for aliments i have etc.
I also listen to music.. and try and keep in touch with old friends.....who keep telling me i will get better the just know it.
Posted by hopeful123 (Member # 3244) on :
great thread
do art when i can (quilting mostly)
read spirtitual books and articles
hang out with my cats
Posted by Elizabeth in MN (Member # 8466) on :
Fabulous thread!
freewrite/journal knit spin read meditate Tai Chi
I also work with a writing coach who is also a spiritual director. Two for one!
Warmly, Elizabeth
Posted by lymeout (Member # 8045) on :
My daughter, when she is well enough, works with an autistic boy, using ABA therapy. This gives her the greatest joy and has uncovered gifts in her that would have gone undetected if she hadn't gotten sick. A true blessing!
She has learned to knit, does crossword and saduko puzzles, reads and has become a pen pal to about 10 kids at the Child Rescue Center in Sierra Leone - one of our church's missions. She spends hours creating interesting letters for each one. She took pictures of her cousins playing in the big snow we had this winter and made copies of them to send to these kids who have never experienced snow.
On her roughest days, when she feels unproductive and worthless, I remind her of these things and the specific productive value of each:
KNITTING - many of us now have lovely scarves to keep us warm on these blustery days PUZZLES AND READING - keep her brain exercised and fit and prepared for the day she can go back to school WORKING AND COMMUNICATING WITH CHILDREN - brings immeasurable learning and joy to them and to her.
One that she would add to this list:
RETAIL THERAPY - To the mall when able; when not, there is always online shopping!
Posted by hopeful123 (Member # 3244) on :
i love retail therapy. can't afford it, but once in a while.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by hopeful123: i love retail therapy.
Never heard that term before! Love it!! Posted by Moose (Member # 8545) on :
Whoo hoo! I enjoy Sudoko puzzles, even though I only recently learned about it when someone gave my son one of those puzzle books. This one was a little too hard for him, so I stole it and bought him an easier one for kids.
On my good days: I like to go for a walk through the woods or near the shore, help my kids with their outdoor projects & hobbies, do jigsaw puzzles, knit, sew or scrapbooking.
I also get out in the community once a week to teach American Sign Language, which gets me out of the house and doing something good. The students in my classes seem to enjoy and appreciate me!
When my days are not so good: I mostly like to read murder investigation novels between naps. Sometimes I go out on one of the swings on my back porch or backyard glancing through the backwoods which can really lift my spirit.
[ 22. March 2006, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: Moose ]
Posted by Cougar (Member # 8769) on :
What a wonderful uplifting topic!
I love music, so I play piano a lot. I'm really thankful my fingers aren't swollen now!
I also love to read (Bible, reader's digest, insperational stories).
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
I read the Bible, Christian books, and fun novels.
I listen to Christian music, do Tai Chi, and pray and pray and pray. Sometimes I cry and I think that is okay to help nuture the soul, too.
I try to exercise some and get massages regularly.
Hiker
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
Great thread!
I photograph people and things. My mind is always conjuring up a picture. One of my favorite subjects lives with me -- my daughter. Another favorite subject - bugs, specifically, macroinvertebrates, can be found year round in my creek. I needn't even go far to satisfy my entomology-geek needs.
Michelle
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
I love this thread and am grateful for everyone's posts.
Michelle, I really love your photography...like you, I also enjoy getting out my camera and shooting. I still have a lot to learn, though.
Cooking nurtures my soul. I live in a very close block, so it's not unusual for me to fix a huge pot of soup (lentil, turkey, chicken or something else) and share it with the neighbors.
I'm glad I can still read and get a lot of comfort from reading poetry....from reading, period.
Although I had a lot of auditory distortion in the beginning which made it almost impossible to listen to music, that's gradually improving...so now, I've discovered iTunes. It's been so much fun listening to all the music I've missed over the past few years.
One thing that really nutures me is finding wonderful online cards and sending them to people I care about (for dog lovers, jacquielawson.com is a wonderful card site...not free but not prohibitive, either).
Laughter is huge, and my SO and I laugh a lot.
And kids. I'm lucky enough to work with them, and they're an endless source of wonder and joy.
Oh, and I also don't want to leave out either prayer or meditation. Both can soothe out the sometimes rough edges of my psyche and my soul.
Andie
Posted by lymeout (Member # 8045) on :
WOW! Michelle! Your photos are awesome. Your daughter (I assume) is lovely!
Andrea. Do you share your recipes? I am always looking for lentil soup recipes.
Posted by Healing in Santa Cruz (Member # 7798) on :
Hi there,Michelle, I just pm'd U. I love your beautiful pictures. U are very gifted. Thanks for shareing. It brightened my day. In greatfulness. Beautiful young and pretty cool bug. Nite Joyce
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
I enjoy being home with my hubby; we don't take vacations anywhere...those days are over.
Love going to the nursing home weekly for my elderly, domino-playing female friends, and also love making them & their living room area a cut flower design from my garden or Hyvee floral shop.
Love visiting with my 3 young neighbors next door: Jake, 7; Taylor, 4; and Joe, 2.5; they re the grandchildren we will never have. THEY make me feel so special.
Enjoy working in my cut flowers and deadheading.
Enjoy sitting in the middle of my lawn at sunset time watching the sky overhead turn into its many colors and while there; talking with my loved ones in Heaven.
Love the internet ... wonderful emails of cute stories, inspirational, & belly laugh ones, and of course ... my dear lymenet board with all of you terrific lyme folks!
Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :
Michelle M - I love your photos
hopeful123 - retail therapy... cleverly worded I forgot to add that one...
My mom and I go to the store sometimes (cuz I am to sick to do anything else)
Yesturday I bought a pair of z cavarcii jeans retail for $48 for $2.50
clearance is awsome Posted by MagicAcorn (Member # 8786) on :
My family has a retreat in the Catskill we've owned for more than twenty years now. Being away from the hustle and bustle of the big city is a blessing I treasure more than anything.
I go around at dusk and dawn on safari for wildlife. Seeing G-ds creatures going about their daily business helps me feel at peace with myself and my situation. If his creatures can survive then so can I.
I also love the snow and everything that goes with it. I even love shoveling. Skiing, snow tubing, or just walking through the woods...it is all good.
When I can't get away....a drive will do me a world of good.
Posted by Yemaya (Member # 8842) on :
I am so tickled at the response. It is wonderful. I haven't check in, in a while and was so suprised to see all your wonderful words.
The Pictures are beautiful Michelle M. A reflection of your soul.
I forgot I like to bake too. I've been experimenting with gluten free & stevia recipes.
Much love to all of you. Love & Light,
Yemaya Posted by Naomi (Member # 4846) on :
what a great thread!
I pray...I find a lot of comfort in my relationship with God.
I also read a lot...and watch a lot of movies. There is something about escaping reality for a few hours that make life look a little better.
I also laugh a lot. I find that if I laugh (at myself and stupid lyme brain as well as other things) I feel a bit better.
Animals also play a big part in my "self therapy"...I find immense satisfaction in my pets and my aquariums.
Posted by Carlie (Member # 8745) on :
Yemeya, I take in nature around me, I pray , I sit and hold one or several of my rat terriers and just pet them. Also, I love reading the thought for the day on this site, and I have found solace in all your friendship. Thanks! Carlie
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
Howdy,Snif tires,firehydrants , trees and bushes.
Nail tires ,firehydrants,trees and bushes.Nothing like hiking a leg. He He He He !!!!!!! AAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
MADDOG
Posted by maeflower21 (Member # 4379) on :
I volunteer 4-6 hours a week in a playroom at a local children's hospital.
It has been and continues to be an incredible experience.
The children are amazing and have brought so much light and joy into my life. They have given inspiration to keep fighting this disease.
I am still not well enough to hold down any kind of job, so this is a great way to get out of the house for a little while.
When I was too sick to leave the house, I used to make and send cards to sick kids through the Make A Child Smile Organization.
Posted by meg (Member # 22) on :
You nutty doggie MD I'd throw you a biscuit if I could.
Beautiful pictures above!!!! Awesome
My escape is rockin out--music, music, music!!
[ 29. March 2006, 02:30 PM: Message edited by: meg ]
Posted by hopeful123 (Member # 3244) on :
maddog-
watch out!! peeing in public is against the law, unless you really are a dog. Posted by Stella (Member # 3119) on :
Loved the post.... here goes my input:
I read poetry Get a massage Give myself a pedicure Listen to music Swim (or just lay in the sun) Take pictures Share moments and go to the movies!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[loco]](graemlins/loco.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
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I'd throw you a biscuit if I could.