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.
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.
In Psychology Today, Kristen Fuller, M.D. explains the difference between simply hearing and actually listening (July 8, 2021):
- “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
