A Cold Serves You Right

My life was busy. Besides my regular work schedules, I had started various remodeling projects in the house. I painted a room, rearranged furniture, moved stuff around and basically turned the house inside out. At the same time, I planned my trip to Germany where I was running around to take care of my mom. My life was good for quite some time until I caught a cold – severe and with the worst timing. I was lying in my friend’s guestroom wondering why I had to travel to Germany to get sick. This was the moment when my coaching skills worked for me.

My body was telling me to slow down and ease up. The pressure had been going on for weeks. Even my trip to Germany was more an obligation than fun. It was time to take care of myself and stop pushing. Lying in bed, I realized that this was exactly what I needed. If there had not been that feeling of guilt, it would have been a few relaxing days. As is the case with colds, I survived and am back on track until the next time my body stops me or, should I say, rescues me again from myself.

Can you relate to these times of exhaustion when you feel that it is time to stop, but you also feel that you can’t afford to slow down? You keep on going until you get sick. In a good case scenario, it’s just a cold, and in the worst case it’s a serious disease that might even take you out of the race. We have all seen people close to us push themselves to the point of collapse and beyond, sacrificing themselves without need and, finally, for no benefit to anyone.

Do we really need bad news to understand that our body is not just to be used but also needs care, maintenance and TLC? Yes, I know that your lifestyle is not always responsible for all the diseases and suffering in life, but in many cases we push ourselves too hard and even overhear the early warning signs.

A cold or flu is just such an early warning sign, maybe even a blessing to become sick. It gives you the perfect excuse to stay in bed for a couple of days without life threatening symptoms. You simply feel miserable, as you deserve for having neglected yourself. Yes, it serves you right, even in the literal sense. A cold can be a blessing in disguise which allows you to slow down for a moment and stay healthy in the long run.

Now don’t get me wrong! No need to walk barefoot or half naked in the garden at night until you become sick (but feel free to do so if that’s what you like). Getting colds is inevitable, anyway. Yet I challenge you both in times of health as illness:

1. Listen to your body
2. Slow down if necessary
3. Take good care of yourself
4. Enjoy life

Then you won’t need a cold to rescue you, and you will find a much happier and healthier life. Especially with Thanksgiving and the holidays coming up, we all need to be wise and skillful. There is so much going on in our lives that overwhelming ourselves is just one little step away. Just follow these four simple rules to remain safe and sound. Give yourself and your family and friends the best gift ever – being happy, healthy and here.

Be a woman and act like one.

All women – from Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Sacramento or elsewhere please share your story on this blog.

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Reprinted from “Hertha Wolff-Arend | Be a Woman and Act Like One” a blog written by Hertha Wolff-Arend.  Subscribe at http://beawomanandactlikeone.com/ and receive Blog updates by email.

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