Knowing the difference

With health issues (like my previous post partum thyroid health alert, its symptoms and after effects) come unfortunately, some bouts of depression, anxiety and lack of focus. Sometimes, it plagues me if what I was feeling on occassion are just symptoms or an actual cause. It helps to process through things by exploring the root of these feelings. You feel you are empty even if you know you are full. You feel confused even if you have your mind set on things. Many days, it feels simple and uncomplicated yet it complicates things.

Through the last months, Ive learned that the body speaks to us. It complains in form of an illness or some symptom or a feeling. Soon after, it wears the years of abuse and misuse of our physical form. You eat too much...and finally one day your heart's too full. You kept sedentary, your muscles give up. We see it in our relatives, in old people - but it doesnt scare us enough to straighten up. We see the warning signs everyday but it doesnt slow us down. My father in law spoke of an episode in Grey's Anatomy where one of the patients stoutly affirmed "You're healthy til you're not!" How true this is and how ironic, isnt it?

We all get overly wrapped up in a number called age! Yet ironically, we dont heed the signs our body gives us because we deny ourselves the profits of ageing - which I'd like to call 'wisdom to know the difference'. We get older by the year, but we never get to see the difference just yet.

Many times in now knowing the difference, what has helped me through the days, would be the times where I am able to quiet my mind long enough to listen to myself. There are also days when the comfort of our loved ones, accompanied with small talk, laughter, the greeting of good friends, true friends- enliven us. Perhaps having a reason to live beyond ourselves - is something we should all embrace. That makes life feel essentially.... purposeful.

Of all things, I find that prayer has helped me the most! Prayer centers us. Prayer connect us. Prayer envelopes us in surrender. Prayer entrusts all our concerns to God. Sadly in my weakness, I have also failed in this aspect especially when all the rest of my life blindly consumes me. I seem to end up relegating it as a scheduled appointment with God. But although, it has proved to be a struggle, it is the struggling against our spiritual lows that count. And truly I can attest, despite failing in many attempts, God has never withheld his blessings on account of my stinginess in time.

Ive been told by a very wise friend that it is unwise to take care of the body if we do not pay attention to condition of our souls. Because in the end, like in a balance sheet, you end up losing if your accounts dont balance out.

It take a conscious effort to nurture ourselves and to love our souls. As much as we engage in physical activities to strengthen our bodies and our minds, our core strength banks on the health of our souls.

Of all truths we ought to acknowledge, a healthy body and a soul in God's grace, defies bodily proportion, physical limitations, and space.