Time To Rejuvenate

Posted May 16, 2018 and tagged with latest, news.

By: Kristina Marie Dizard

Time to rejuvenate. Time to refresh. Time to reflect.

Am I the only one that gets a bit frazzled over the countdown to a new year? Expectations shouting at you through the voices of loved ones TEN, NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN… It’s all so intense, and brings a bag full of anxiety to the party that never did bother to RSVP (how rude!) I adore this time of year, but the pressure can be overwhelming. Taking time to focus a bit on slowing down and making small changes to show more love and grace to ourselves can work wonders.

I do love New Years, (minus the expectations). The time to pause and reflect. To discern mistakes, patterns or triumphs from the last year. Taking the time to write out new ambitions and goals, sharing them with those I love that keep me accountable. I also love analyzing how to carve out more time for rest. To do the things I love. The things that feed my soul. How can I alter my routine a little bit and give myself an extra ten or twenty minutes for deep breathing, prayer or yoga during the day? Whatever your goals are, they are all of equal importance, and deserve your attention. I know through the months I pull out the goals from our family goal jar and sneak a peek at what we wrote. I must admit I failed this last year and never did accomplish one goal I had to attend an open mic and read my own poetry out loud. On stage. In front of strangers. Yikes! You can see how I “accidentally” let that goal slip through the cracks month after month. Yet, there was a reason I set that goal, and I must follow through with it, eventually…

Another goal I always have is to continue working on my health. I understand that looks different to all of us, as it should, but I think this year I need to be a bit more specific. The more I learn about my body and what it needs for maximum health (interesting term for someone with aggressive MS to use, I know) the more I realize I must set specific goals. Itemized lists of what I need to do daily, as well as weekly. As tedious as this is, it helps me break it down and feel like I am actively accomplishing positive changes in my daily routine. Simple things like hot water with lemon at least once a day, or riding my stationary bike for 10–15 minutes, maybe 10 minutes of stretching etc. Whatever your body needs is important, even if it doesn’t feel that way. Especially when it comes to rest. I know people resolve every year to typically do more, but how about we resolve to do less? Less of what stresses us out. Less of what causes our bodies pain or stiffness. Less guilt. Less emotional eating. Less over analyzing until sleep deprived.

We must spend more time listening to our bodies (otherwise, they scream at us) and give it what it needs. Maybe it’s a short walk, a hot bath, a nice long nap… Only you can decipher and listen to your body. Only you speak its language. Honor, love and respect yourself enough to listen.

Cheers to the new year, fellow warriors!

Kristina Marie Dizard has published 2 poetry books: Undefined and Embrace Every Facet, and was diagnosed with M.S. in 2005. Kristina lives in Edmonds, Washington where she advocates for the homeless, enjoys the beach and fabulous book stores.
You can find her online at http://facebook.com/EmbraceEveryFacetKristinaMarieDizard