“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ~John Lubbock, The Use Of Life
I’m on a fairly savage regime of drugs and herbs for my Lyme disease just now. Both the treatment and the illness place a burden upon my body, and so doing what I can to support healing and detoxification is paramount.
To cope, I’d developed quite a routine, actively including everything I could to detox myself. The routine itself was exhausting, and I was earnestly looking for whatever else I might add to make the process even better. Did I mention I’m in a hurry to heal?
As I was lying on a treatment bed with needles protruding from me, and a smoking box burning on my belly, I asked my acupuncturist for his advice. What was I already doing, he asked me. Dutifully I rattled off my long list, feeling rather proud of myself.
He paused for a few minutes, feeling my pulses, tweaking a needle or two. He was quiet. Thoughtful.
Do less, he said.
Less? That threw me. Shouldn’t I be doing EVERYTHING I can to get better?
No, he said. Being so busy, so consumed with wellness, puts a stress upon the body too. I had made healing a job. Withdraw a little, he said. Read a book. Have a nap. Sit quietly in the sun. Make things easier for yourself.
He’s right, of course. Sometimes we think that doing all we can is better, when really, less is more. Healing happens in the quiet spaces, the down time, the growing sense of ease.
How about you? Are you giving yourself space to heal? Maybe you’d be better off having an early night, a slow weekend, a simple diet, more rest.
Here’s to wellness and balance in our lives. Be kind to yourself this week. Bless xoxo
Nicole, do you think it is possible to unknowingly create a energetic cord type connection to the disease one is working so hard to concur? So subtly created over time yet so connected that the very disease one is fighting can’t leave because of this connection? I have caught myself actually claiming the disease I am fighting as “my” disease. It isn’t mine, I don’t want it, I am trying to fight it yet here I am using the same loving term I use for things that are mine. What do you think?
Nicole, I have no idea how you cope with your own illness but also give out to all of us so consistently and wisely – I am in awe of you and send you love on the wings of the first eagle I have ever seen here. Thank you for your presence in my life. Juliex
Yep I am working hard on doing as little as possible for the first time in my life. When that little voice starts to nag that I should do more I think God doesn’t mind what I do. There are no expectations just appreciation. I am doing ok, I am looking after myself and that’s all that matters. Sending love and healing to you Nicole. XXX
I have been following you for quite some time now, I look forward to your posts every day and I have found that just when I need some advise there it is in your post. I am a true believer of “No accidents in the Universe” and your posts just keep proving it to me over and over again. THANK-YOU for being you, you are a special person in my life even though we are a world apart. Just know that you are making a difference.
I am a firm believer in taking ‘REAL’ time out . I am living proof that it works . I try to pass the word on to family and friends but in our busy world it’s difficult for anyone to listen .
Cherryx
Great advice
Nicole, THANKYOU I hadn’t realised I was making healing so busy! I now intend to let peace pervade my mind. Bless you for sharing the awareness. Love, light and quiet healing energy to you my friend xxx 💜
Such good advice we all need to do nothing and allow our bodies to heal
I have found lately when I sit in the sun, due to recommendations in this time of Winter, for 20 minutes I feel instantly better when I wander back inside.
You’re post was much needed for my eyes today. Healing has become a job for me too, and I want to get out of my own way but it’s often hard to do that. It’s hard to put faith in a body that for so long doesn’t seem like it knows how to heal itself. I will try and paint today, or read, or just relax. I woke up with a knee so swollen I couldn’t go to work – perhaps that’s a sign.
Love xox
Embrace the season Nicole and take a long Winter’s nap. Mix it up with some writing and some hubby and dog cuddling. Indulge in some hot chocolate and cupcakes served with a small dose of patience by a cozy fire. For soon… Spring’s arrival of new growth and her abundance of fresh revitalizing energy will be knocking at your door! You will be dancing and kicking up your heels in no time! ( which I’m sure your cows will enjoy immensely) Give yourself a big hug for me and heed your acupuncturist’s advice. As the saying goes…. what we resist, persists! Much love to you Nicole!
So true, so simple. So often we think doing is the answer, when rather, being is. Enjoy your peace, Nicole xo
When I saw the title of this post in my email, I wanted to cry. I think it is important to take time to heal emotionally as well as physically. The last 5 years have been very rough for me, and I did everything to occupy myself to not think about it. As a result, I have never really grieved for some of the losses or processed my fears in a healthy way. We are told and tell ourselves to “just get over it” and “move on” but it just does not work that.
Here’s to healing!
Thanks, Nicole. This is the second time today I’ve read the same message – to not focus so much on getting well/healthy, but to relax and rest. Just had a very lazy day and feeling like another one or two could maybe follow. Wishing you well with the rest and relaxation.