April is my birthday month and I will be making another trip around the sun.
I have been doing a lot of reflecting this birthday. More so than any other year.
Things I have been thinking about…
I am so grateful for my health! I do a lot of things to stay healthy (more on that later). I know I am healthier than most people my age. How do I know that? Doctors look surprised when they ask “What medications are you taking? My response – NONE.
When I tell them I take a bunch of supplements, they ask what kind? When I list the many different kinds I take each day, I don’t get much of a response. Most likely because they have no idea what the supplements are or why I would be taking them. I read once that when going to school to become a doctor, the course work on nutrition and supplements is only 20 minutes. Can you imagine?
I think that losing my parents to cancer at such young ages most likely focused my attention on my health. My father was 49 when he died, and my mother was 67. I would say they didn’t lead the healthiest lives. They both smoked and there wasn’t much awareness around staying healthy, eating the right foods, etc.
I have always been curious about what causes disease, but more importantly what can I do to prevent disease. How does the body heal? What’s in our food, environment, etc. What can I control and what is out of my control?
I have been intentional about being healthy and I have been on this health journey since my early twenties. For my life experience, I wanted to live longer than my parents so that I could witness and experience my children’s milestones, travel, and live a full life.
I have been reflecting on my life and asking myself the following questions:
What is my life path?
What do I want to do?
Is what I am doing bringing me joy?
How do I want to live my life?
Who do I want to spend my time with?
I want to experience life consciously. I think so many of us get so used to “doing” and forget how to “be.”
What do I mean by this?
Doing – I am raising a family. I must earn money. We need food to eat, a place to live. I want my kids to get a good education. Where are we going on vacation? What are we doing for the holidays? I have to take care of aging parents. My home and my car need repairs. It goes on and on… So after a while all I know is how to ‘do.’
I forget how to just ‘be.’
Being – This is where I am with myself contemplating who I am, what brings me joy, what’s my purpose, what’s my passion, etc.? These questions become uncomfortable because we don’t want to face the fact that we don’t know the answers to these questions. We have been doing for everyone else for so long we have lost ourselves.
So, how do I just ‘BE’?
Here are some things I do daily to practice ‘being’ and trust me it is not enough.
I take a bath each night.
I listen to a podcast each day.
I walk every day.
I journal – but not every day. I need to improve on that.
I meditate almost every day.
These are just some ways I can get in touch with Barbara.
If I were to ask you the following questions, how would you answer?
What do you love doing?
What are you passionate about?
If you could do anything and there were no limits, what would you be doing?
What do you want to do more of?
What fills your soul?
Now, what I want you to know is that this is still a work in progress for me. I am NOT perfect practicing how to be. Oh gosh, I am far from it. I do think this is so important for all of us to consider. We are here for such a short time and the older you get, the faster it goes. So, let’s all try to slow it down a bit and take time to become intentional in all that we do, so we can enjoy our moments here on earth with those we love and care about.
As I begin my 66th trip around the sun, I will continue to explore who I am and what fills my soul. I will practice more being rather than doing. I encourage you to explore who you are as well. I would love to hear from you on what activities you pursue ‘to be.’
Great post Barbie! I am going to ponder this as these are great questions and I will soon be going around the sun again so I want to really think about my answers... Thank you for sharing and for caring :). xoxo