Hi Folks.
I hope this finds you well. Once again, I find myself in a business lounge – this time in Perth, Western Australia (for my international readers). I’m waiting to fly to Adelaide (South Australia). This lounge is a relatively small but incredibly busy one. Many of the guys who work in the mines (in the various parts of this state) fly in and out of Perth and it seems that they are all Qantas Club members. It’s one of the few business lounges I’ve been in where the majority of people are not wearing suits. Even on a weekday.
This morning, I spoke to (some of) the good folk of Perth and they were a great group. Thanks Perth. 
Anyhoozle…
Planes, Trains and Headaches
Over the last few days, it has become apparent (again) that spending one’s days in taxis, planes, airport lounges, cafes, convention centres and hotel rooms while trying to work out regularly, eat healthy food and stay hydrated can be something of a challenge. Not a problem (as such) but something to be negotiated and managed nonetheless.
Yesterday and today my body has been reminding me that I need to pay attention to it. Even when I’m busy. Headaches, interrupted sleep, aching back and neck pain have been telling me that I need to do something different. It always knows what I need and it’s my job to pay attention and respond accordingly.
The Great Disconnect
Some people have spent years not listening to their bodies. I hope you’re not one of them. It’s a practice that always ends in tears. The human body is the greatest biofeedback system in the world and you and I are fortunate enough to own one! Or maybe it’s just on loan to us (a discussion for another day)? Either way, it’s the ultimate computer with the ultimate intelligence. It’s constantly telling us what we need (and don’t need) but, sadly, some of us simply don’t pay attention.
What a waste of wisdom.
The Best Computer in the World
What other machine is self-monitoring, self-regulating and (for the most part) self-healing? It knows what we need even when we (that is, emotional and psychological we) do our best to pretend we know best. Even when we ignore it (which is often), it’s still talking to us. Every physical change, sign or symptom is our body’s way of telling us something. It might be a very minor and inconsequential message or it could be something which will impact on our life in a significant way if we continue with the ‘fingers in ears’ and the “I’ll deal with it soon” strategies.
Tuning Back In
Some of us have been ignoring these messages for so long that our psychology and our physiology now speak different languages. In essence, we have drowned out the ‘voice’ of our body. Over the years, we have disconnected from our cellular intelligence (the one that’s programmed into our DNA). Yes, it’s still there (of course) but, for some of us, it’s time to reconnect. To tune back in.
In 2010, there’s not much we can’t replace but all our money, success and intelligence can’t buy us a new body.
Love your body and it will love you back.
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How true!
But it’s so damn hard to change!?
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve sat (with bad posture)at my desk, typing away for hours on end, not drinking any water or leaving for any reason other than the occasional dash to the bathroom or fridge for a snack. Then – when my body starts retaliating for this blatant abuse by throwing my brain against the back of my eyeballs – my first reaction is to go for the neurofen.
Actually realise that the signals I’m being given are demanding that I get up, take a break, take a walk and get some water into the dry husk that is my vessel? Hell no! That’s for wimps and free-thinking-not-as-busy-or-important-as-I-am-hippy-types!
And I’ve been doing it for so long that it’s become a hard-coded mnemonic pathway. I actually now take this action automatically.
Listening to my body is something I’m really struggling to do – but the fact I’m trying is half the battle, isn’t it?
M@
Yes I reconnected two months ago when I had bad stomach issues and tests showed nothing there. Conclusion was a bit too much body fat around the organs so I went to specialist and a naturapath and took on some changes that have been discussed on this blog. I got told yesterday I lost 10 cm’s so far. I don’t have to take anti acids now. That has made me happy.
I’m rebooting after a bad case of “fingers-in-ears”-itis – thank goodness. Hope the travelling isn’t taking its toll too much. Where I live used to be a mining region, people talk about “blackdark”, which you only get underground.
My body always says it’s naptime though!
It may come to a surprise to you Mr Harper, but immersing yourself in water (pool, bath, spa, beach) is a great way to not only reward your body but to get ‘in touch’ with it. The principles of water – buoyancy, resistance, turbulence are very similar to our ‘emotions’ – buoyant, resistant and sometimes turbulent. The sensation of water will reach places you never thought possible….(Keep it nice, i mean your inner self) J x
I really needed this post. It’s kind of hit a nerve with me. I know most of what you said – listening to the bodys signals, tuning into yourself instead of ignoring all the warning signs.
But I’m definitely suffering from the “manyana syndrome”. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.
I’m going to spend the rest of this evening giving myself a kick up the bum. Then, (ahem!) tomorrow, I need to putting what we all know into practise.
Am reminded of the saying “Look after your body,it’s the only place you have to live”. I agree so much about the cellular intelligence of our bodies – that amazing, invisible force that makes the miracle of actually being alive possible. Yet often we never stop to think about it. Take it for granted. Abuse it. Not listen to it.
Maybe it’s time we were in awe of it, instead!!
My young son (aged 6) hit the nail of the head for me the other day, when he stopped to observe that a small cut of his foot had healed over completely. Looking admiringly at the new skin that had formed on his foot, he asked “But where does it come from?”
I just told him that his body was an amazing thing and could do lots of wonderful things (like heal itself)….it can!
Have a good trip back home Craig ….
hugs,
Mon
Thank you for your insightful message this morning, the mind and body disconnect has been something I have been aware of since my early 20′s (now
….take care out there in the world and may they all play nice with you in the sandpit.
mid-40″s) back then I didn’t have enough knowledge about myself let alone anything else in the world I just knew there was a disconnect especially when I was under stress…..the body always won the war against the mind by giving me things that literally didn’t allow me to stand up let alone function !!! I now try to listen to both and have balance but your message today was a good reminder for me due to a very stressful couple of weeks. I look forward to you popping “in” to my in box
Too true Craig. As I have discussed on here before, not listening properly and not getting my GP to listen properly to my body’s protests nearly resulted in my death last year.
So, everyone, Im now trying to look after this not so perfect vessel of mine. Have a good go at doing the same with yours!
it’s difficult to say this to you, but I have trouble opening up to people. My brain just won’t let my body speak. I’m not mute but silence is easier. It’s good to be able to tell someone.
My problem is about my self. There were lot of ideas back in my mind I want to express but when I would already in front of the people whom am addressing they would gone…How I wish I could express all what’s back on my mind to express my self….