Rest is important for the body, mind and soul.
Yet, for those, such as myself who tend to run high in adrenaline and energy, with a racing mind of "my to do list", relaxing does not come naturally. It has to be a purposeful effort.
I need a place where I can step away from distractions of work, client messages, and reconnect with my Creator and the Lover of my soul. It is important for self-care, and when I do not take time for self - my immune system does not function optimally. Two weeks ago I came down with full blown allergies, and once that was in check, one heck of a respiratory imbalance settled in my upper chest, AND shortly after that - crippling sciatica pain.
I did not hesitate to take care of clients with their own wellness emergencies, and ignored my body's exhaustion. On top of the daytime work, I worked out in the yard planting, weeding, until it was too dark to see. I did not give my body rest, and it was clamoring for attention.
I did not take time to go to my place of peace, a space that was created in my backyard...an oasis.
This space was created nine years ago with the help of friends. As I write this, I realize it is nearly nine years ago to the day. Our backyard has always been one that was planted and designed to be a haven for birds and butterflies. My husband had built a small pergola deck, where we would sit Saturday mornings, have coffee and bird watch. It was Jesse's place of peace. When he became sick and could only get around with a wheelchair, friends pitched in to help me disassemble raised bed perennial planters and create a more open space that a wheelchair could access. We were nearly finished with the project, with hopes of wheeling him out to his beloved backyard for Father's Day 2015.
However, the Lord called my beloved Jesse home on June 8th. His presence in the backyard we were recreating for him was witnessed only from above. I will never forget the moment, two days after his life celebration, that a chickadee bathed in the huge "bathing rock" - flew up and lost a feather, which landed in front of me as I was reading my Bible while sitting at the patio table. The message was clear, "All is well with my soul. Everlasting joy is mine!". The backyard, Jesse's Oasis, has been my place of peace ever since.
I enjoy gathering with family for an outside dinner, girlfriends for coffee or tea, and sitting in the oasis with my newer sweetheart - playing a game of cribbage, watching the flames of the fire pit, or just relaxing and watching the birds, bees and butterflies.
It restores my soul. It is my happy place.
I pray you find your own place where you feel tranquility, peace, and a connection to the One who created each and every one of us, and loves us more than any other.
Rita S.
Yet, for those, such as myself who tend to run high in adrenaline and energy, with a racing mind of "my to do list", relaxing does not come naturally. It has to be a purposeful effort.
I need a place where I can step away from distractions of work, client messages, and reconnect with my Creator and the Lover of my soul. It is important for self-care, and when I do not take time for self - my immune system does not function optimally. Two weeks ago I came down with full blown allergies, and once that was in check, one heck of a respiratory imbalance settled in my upper chest, AND shortly after that - crippling sciatica pain.
I did not hesitate to take care of clients with their own wellness emergencies, and ignored my body's exhaustion. On top of the daytime work, I worked out in the yard planting, weeding, until it was too dark to see. I did not give my body rest, and it was clamoring for attention.
I did not take time to go to my place of peace, a space that was created in my backyard...an oasis.
This space was created nine years ago with the help of friends. As I write this, I realize it is nearly nine years ago to the day. Our backyard has always been one that was planted and designed to be a haven for birds and butterflies. My husband had built a small pergola deck, where we would sit Saturday mornings, have coffee and bird watch. It was Jesse's place of peace. When he became sick and could only get around with a wheelchair, friends pitched in to help me disassemble raised bed perennial planters and create a more open space that a wheelchair could access. We were nearly finished with the project, with hopes of wheeling him out to his beloved backyard for Father's Day 2015.
However, the Lord called my beloved Jesse home on June 8th. His presence in the backyard we were recreating for him was witnessed only from above. I will never forget the moment, two days after his life celebration, that a chickadee bathed in the huge "bathing rock" - flew up and lost a feather, which landed in front of me as I was reading my Bible while sitting at the patio table. The message was clear, "All is well with my soul. Everlasting joy is mine!". The backyard, Jesse's Oasis, has been my place of peace ever since.
I enjoy gathering with family for an outside dinner, girlfriends for coffee or tea, and sitting in the oasis with my newer sweetheart - playing a game of cribbage, watching the flames of the fire pit, or just relaxing and watching the birds, bees and butterflies.
It restores my soul. It is my happy place.
I pray you find your own place where you feel tranquility, peace, and a connection to the One who created each and every one of us, and loves us more than any other.
Rita S.
P.S. Thankfully, I have a effective healing devices at my disposal, and used many of them to recover with several days of focused self-care. I praise God for the blessings in my life!
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