Category: Life:Inspirational/Spiritual
Keywords: soul, longing, self-care, self care, meditation, prayer
Summary: What have you done for your Soul lately? Have you taken any time at all just to be? Just to be?

I noticed that several of my coaching colleagues found it difficult to write their newsletters this month. Some actually addressed the issue in their text, and while the others didn’t mention it, I noticed that I received their broadcasts later than usual. I wonder  if my colleagues are feeling the same restlessness I have felt this past two weeks. I think some of my reluctance is primitive Spring fever now that the dogwoods and jonquils are in full, glorious bloom here in the Missouri Ozarks. A greater part of my reluctance to just sit down and write, I think, comes from a deeper longing.

I have been working very hard in the new millenium at being a good model for my clients, and I have been taking much better care of my Self. More exercise, healthier food choices, reading more books for fun, talking more time for music and walks and just playing more with the kids has been added to my already busy schedule as a writer, coach, community and church volunteer. As the world around me awakens from its deep winter sleep, I see that I, too, have been sleeping. I have been doing much and more for my body and mind, but my soul has been hibernating, waiting for me to take the time to just be with my Self. Much like little kids long for their parents just to be with them, I think my longing is for time just to be with me. Hence, the reluctance to write the newsletter. Or, do taxes. Or, clean out the closets. Or, get my new coaching database set up. Or, get the garden ready. Or, do anything at all that I don’t absolutely have to do.

Self care is a concept that I have studied at length. Although I am experienced in teaching Self Care to my former stress management and leadership consulting clients, and to my current coaching clients and teleclass participants, I am fairly new to applying the concept consistently to my own life. I think when we are fledglings at taking wonderful care of our selves, we can fall into the trap of adding lots of new behaviors and good habits to our daily routine without making breathing room for them. Soon, our care and upkeep of the Temple of the Spirit feels too much like one more house to take care of rather than a joyful endeavor. Self care can soon feel like a burden if we concentrate on all the new, wonderful things to do for and with our selves without taking time to just be and breathe.

So, what have you done for your Soul lately? Have you taken any time at all just to be? Just to be? Really. Just be. By yourself. So that you can hear your Soul’s most plaintive little whispers. Call it meditation or prayer, but don’t get trapped by the language and think about doing something specific. Just be.