I wanted to say a bit more about the self-care rituals, or niyamas from the last post.  These rituals are about regulating ourselves and our environment to keep us moving toward who we really and where we want to be. 

My father-in-law went through a period of being totally committed to some serious weight-loss goals.  As he started losing weight he found that a few chronic health issues disappeared.  He stopped being short of breath.  He could walk without pain and stiffness in his knees.  He was totally amazed that there could be real-live benefits to not eating whatever he wanted.  When he chose less freedom on one front, he gained more freedom on another front.  And the second freedom simply became more important.  It was the big-picture goals that helped him keep his perspective on a short-term urge for chocolate.

But this takes considerable self-knowledge.  What supports me?  What doesn’t?  What do I want to be nurturing in my life? 

A friend of mine is a nurse and works long hours.  When she finishes her week’s shifts she hibernates, turns-in, and works on fully recuperating before going on to do some fun things with friends before her shifts start up again.  This is non-negotiable for her.  She knows she needs that time if she’s going to be healthy.  Period. 

How many of us have the self-knowledge to create the space for ourselves that we need?  Because we all need it, somewhere.