The Corn Chips Are Calling

It’s a new year and, yes, I am still thinking of working on a new years’ resolution. In the past few years, I have not had one. Instead, I hid under the bed with the dust bunnies. Or, sat happily chomping on a bag of corn chips.

Why? Because such promise-keeping is very hopeful, full of sunbeams, fluffy clouds, and flying white doves. So optimistic... which doesn't always happen. Who wants to miss catching the sun-beamed wishes or the flying dove? Not many of us. Certainly not me. 

But this year I felt impressed to do something more. Yes, more than an early rising, or cleaning out the closets, or yes, even deprivation from that crunchy, corn chip. 

Instead, I am putting to task working on me. I am blessed to have had well-balanced health, even having had two hip replacements, a metal wrist-insert, and the mending of three broken arms, two from ice-related figure skating events in the backyard. No Olympic medal for me!

Yet I am pretty much in one piece now … years of healthy eating, daily exercise, and restful sleep have prompted this.  So that now stepping into these later years, a kindly word of wisdom or of playful mirth is spoken… to myself and to others.

Yes, I am still a happy camper. But there are times when one doesn’t feel quite right.  When the body throws a tantrum and is not functioning as it should. Like right now. 

A condition in my body is causing nerves to buzz and scream, …they are really getting my attention. Sleepless on many nights, I wander about the house, drinking herbal tea, reading a book. It has been essential to be flexible to revise the day, taking out the extraneous and putting into play what is possible. As well as a good nap when I can.  

Most important is to understand “the bodily grief card.” That is, to be attentive to the sadness of loss, as well as realize what can be gained. To leap beyond the old version of who I am. So, I can then realize a brand-new self as it is cut and pasted into a vibrant wholeness of being.

Sometimes this step forward can be quite a challenge. The body may resist such renewal, holding tight to the illness card. However, it is important to push forward, realizing the best choices to get back to good health. This is not an overnight process. Instead, it is a conscious determination, factoring in the importance of timely rest to renew vigor and strength. So as to seep in the warmth of the early morning rays, the calm against the blue sky of slow-moving clouds, the evening twinkle of stars and moon. I want to find satisfaction in every opportunity and embrace a life well-lived.

I hope to witness many more good days. And from time to time, even tuck into a bag of my favorite corn chips...

  ‘‘and that’s how I live it.”