Take a day off!

Sometimes we need a day off!  Many think a mental health day is not a legitimate excuse for a day off.  Many people also feel guilty for doing nothing or going out and having fun even on their days off.

Fun and rest are essential to staying healthy.  Enjoyment is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself.  Overworking, worrying, taking life too seriously, and feeling guilty, or unworthy of enjoyment are truly harmful to us. 

We only have one life here on earth.  Enjoy it!  I can't stress it enough.  The body relaxes when we rest and have fun.  Blood flows easier, nerves calm down, sending fewer signals of pain and need for protection, the endocrine system keeps hormones balanced, the immune system does not need to respond to stressors; and in general, homeostasis is maintained. 

Action

Have a day off!  Stay healthy!  Go have fun!  Or stay home, but don't clean or do other chores you don't enjoy.  See how your view of things changes and how good you feel.  Once you try, you may want to incorporate a day off into your regular schedule.

Not only is it preferable to stay healthy than to wait until you are sick and have to nurse yourself back to health, it is also less expensive.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Don't worry what others think.  This is your life and you get to live it your way. 

If you need permission, I give you permission to think of yourself.  Others will benefit from you being happy and healthy.  Enjoy yourself!

When life flows

When life flows easily, you know you are where you are supposed to be.  This doesn't necessarily mean that when things are hard, you are in the wrong place.  You may be growing through the tough times.  But when things flow and everything you've been waiting on falls into place, it is the most amazing feeling in the world. Since I finally made changes at work, I feel vibrant and relaxed.  People say I have a sparkle back in my eyes, and I love to go to work again.

Clients love the new office, I love it too, and my treatments have been amazing.  I do miss working with my husband.  I miss some clients that could not continue because I no longer take insurance.  I already love what I do and not having the pressure and complications of taking insurance has really relaxed me, which in turn helps me treat better.

But enough about me.  I just wanted to give you a practical example of how once you stop thinking you are selfish and foolish for wanting what you want and going after it, or thinking it's possible and being open to guidance, things have a way of shifting into place.  And it is amazing!  I hope everyone can release the limiting thoughts that it's not possible to have your heart's desires.  I think when we give ourselves permission to be happy and really absorb that, anything is possible.

Action

Every day, sit still, get relaxed and listen to what's inside.  Allow God to speak to you in words, images, feelings, or ideas.  What's on the agenda today?  Take one day at a time.  Looking at all that needs to be done can be overwhelming.  Small actions each day, guided by God and your inner calmness, add up and multiply.  It is truly amazing as it all comes together.  I wish you happiness, abundance, and peace!

Doing what's right for you

I'm sorry I missed my blog last week, but I was busy changing my work life.  I've been meaning to change it for a while, but was afraid to hurt others.  I knew what I needed to do, but when I think it might hurt others, I tend to stall.

It all goes along with my blog, doing what's right for you.  In saying that, I think we need to be considerate of others.  I'm not saying that we should completely disregard others, but we do have to remember to honor ourselves too.

I recently stopped taking insurance as payment for my physical therapy treatments and now accept only self-pay.  That may not sound like much, but in doing so, several things needed to happen.  I had to downsize my company, which meant my husband no longer had a job doing my billing, etc., and I also moved to a new, smaller space.  The two people who rented space from me then needed to move as well.  I had clients who needed to finish PT, find another PT, or start paying out of pocket.

The upside is that my life will be simpler.  I can be freer to treat clients more hoilstically than ever before.  I don't have to deal with the insurance games.   I'll have a day off to be with my kids more, my husband is now free to work on his own work and enjoy more free time at home as well, and my clients now have far more freedom in their choice and frequency of treatment.  As it turned out, my two renters each found spaces that they love.

When you finally fight your fears and do what you know in your heart is the way to go, things magically fall into place and you end up happier.

In making my changes, I can focus more on my family, which is important to me.  I can focus on my blog and the book that I am writing.  I would also love to teach someday.  These changes are all for the better.  I know in the end my husband, my kids, and my clients will all be happier as well.  If not, I'll have to bear in mind that we can't always make everyone happy.  But it is not worth living unhappily trying to please everyone else.

Action 

I hope my story helps inspire you.  If something was coming up inside of you as you were reading this, then maybe there is something you need to do. Take it as a sign.  We all want to be happy in this life.  There is nothing selfish about that.  Whether it's about work, a relationship, an addiction to be faced, or any other changes you'd like to make in your life,  I hope this blog helps.

Take time to think it through, all the pros and cons, and get deep inside yourself to help you make a decision.  Sometimes we just have to take a leap of faith and go for it.  Once you've decided, take some time to plan it all out.  It doesn't have to be done in one day, but try not to let it linger forever either.  I wish you well.  Enjoy!