Living In Tune With Mother Nature: The importance of Self-Care

Happy new year!

The year 2014 has begun and we’ve been experiencing the winter season in the northeast. Winter is a time of long nights and reduced daylight. It is a time when I’m reminded of the quiet beauty revealed by Mother Nature in the stillness that follows new fallen snow. Yesterday’s snow storm blanketed us with 12″ of snow, which slowed everyone’s pace. “Home” took on special meaning for everyone trying to get home yesterday.

According to Chinese medicine, winter is a time to stay warm, eat warm nourishing foods, rest, and retreat within to restore and renew our life force, or “chi,” stored in our kidneys. Animals know to go within in winter…..they hibernate. We, too, would be wise to make time to slow down and go “home,” within ourselves during winter. This will ensure that we have sufficient energy reserves to meet the new growth and activities that burst forth in Spring.

Self-care practices and bodywork take us within — i.e. meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong, Seva Acupressure for Self-Care*, Process Acupressure*, and Eden Energy Medicine to mention a few. By slowing our hurried pace, these activities guide us home to our authentic Self. They promote balance throughout our being and reveal the value of aligning our human nature with the seasonal rhythms of Mother Nature. When I am in tune with the deepest parts of my authentic Self after bodywork and Self-care practices, I feel a renewed sense of peace, aliveness, and connection with all of life. I am less fearful and anxious, and I notice a renewed sense of trust in myself and the bigger picture. I have a clearer sense of what matters, and I am excited and curious about the next steps on my soul journey. The best part of all is that I feel more compassion, joy, and love in and around me. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I discover that “there’s no place like home.”

My challenge in winter is to slow down and listen to my heart and authentic Self versus my everyday mind and ego. This helps me recognize and take in the blessings I receive when I live in tune with Mother Nature.

What wisdom / insights does Mother Nature reveal to you in winter? Who and what replenishes your life force in winter? What challenges arise for you during winter? What gifts are you discovering as you use Self-care practices?

Wishing you sweet dreams and warmth this season,

Regina

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