1) Water
2)Food--nontoxic to me and the earth
3)Walk and /or Yoga
4) Do something nice for my body such as massage, hot rocks, accupressure.
I see this as kind of a peace offering to my body. "I will be nice to you and you will be nice to me". For a long while, I was angry with my body for turning against me. We are friends now and this is a much nicer way to live. Honestly, if you think about it, you do have to work together!
5) Good steward of my $ (I know this seems odd here but now that it is a controlled situation i.e. disability only, it is essential to act responsibly and be ever mindful)
Care of Mind
1) Read everyday
2) Sudoku or Brain Age 2 (this is a nintendo game). I also went through the CRT study guides at the library. I started with 8th grade then quickly realized I needed to start with 3rd grade. I got those math study guides for kids and do a page or so a day. that is fun.
3)Connection of Body ,Mind and Soul
Knitting, yoga, clay work, sewing, cooking. I do one or some of these daily because it helps to use different parts of your brain and get them working together. Brain Gym they call it for kids in school. My Yoga teacher showed me some very basic exercises and it made a huge difference in my ability to think. and all the while gently, gradually helping me build back muscle groups I lost with the Cushing's related muscle atrophy.
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| dragon fly wall vase picture by John Barry |
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| Open your Heart picture by John Barry |
Care of the Soul
1) Daily prayer and Gratitude
I do this first thing in the morning, I have a book that I write 5 things I'm grateful for everyday. Sometimes I write my prayers too because it helps me to organize my thoughts.
2) Go outside and connect with the world around me.
Since I've been not able to work, I have watched the seasons change in small ways that I never noticed when I was working.
3) Connection with my community.
This piece is important because it is easy to get into hermit mode when your day is not like everyone elses. Get out, love people, they need it and you do too!
It is important to feel useful in the world. I've struggled with this one a lot. In my life BBT (before brain tumor) I was a nurse-midwife and I caught babies at all hours of the day and night and felt like I made a difference in the world by being present at that moment when a new person arrives on the planet. Kind of like a glorified walmart greeter,,,but a lot messier. :)
Now, I try to give every person I meet my full attention. you know I don't talk on the phone and check out my groceries. One thing at a time is necessary for me, but also a good practice.
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| This is our very own "shelter dog" Rosie |
My daughter and I volunteer at the animal shelter sometimes. We "socialize" the animals . This means that we play with all the dogs and cats. I'm pretty sure we get more out of it than they do. 
