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Saturday, I hiked in the North Georgia Mountains; on a beautiful day visiting a favorite cascading waterfall.
The trail is quite strenuous. And after Hurricane Zeta took out two bridges, it’s wicked. While the park re-opened after two years, repairs are still underway. Greetings dubious creek crossings and embankment climbing.
It was glorious.
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That evening and next day I felt it. My body was having a conversation with me.
When people remind me to: “listen to your body” – I’m there! Yeah baby! No brainer. But do I? Do I really listen?
I “hear” my body – but maybe I only hear what I want to. Perhaps I don’t “listen” hard.
Goals, desires and ambitions carry me beyond my boundaries now and again. Not a bad thing. There’s little growth without pushing the envelope. But it’s good to listen to stiff muscles and creaky bones.
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In Psychology Today, Kristen Fuller, M.D. explains the difference between simply hearing and actually listening (July 8, 2021):
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- “Listening is an active process, whereas hearing is a passive process
- Listening requires paying attention, whereas hearing requires no concentration or attention skills
- Listening requires empathy, curiosity, and motivation, whereas hearing is associated with being disconnected”
Actively pay attention, be compassionate and heed my aches and pains. This week I attend to rest, relaxation and restorative yoga. Taking a time out is me being generous and gentle to me.
“Resting and relaxing is as important as going out there and making it happen.” ― Hiral Nagda
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