Hindsight is always so illuminating, isn’t it? We look back and think, wow, if I only I’d known then what I know now…
One thing I’ve learned more than once – and see others learn quite often too – is how important our internal ‘nudges’ or taps on the shoulder are. They can come from various parts of ourselves, and when we don’t listen, sometimes one of those parts will kick our own door down. And for our own good too.
While we may forget it at times in the fray of every day life, the Self is made up of four key aspects – mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. Your whole self goes to work, picks up groceries, takes a walk or goes for a run. All of these aspects of the self are present. But are you there? Are you present to all these parts of yourself?
At work you might feel obliged to leave parts of yourself to the side and be your ‘professional self’. At home you may find yourself leaving other aspects of the self to the side as you navigate the evening routine with your kids, or play peacekeeper in your relationship.
Sometimes we will have old grief or trauma that has been packed away or simply not attended to sufficiently enough that creates a pressure within the emotional self.
We may be ignoring the pressure our body is under from stress, the hours we are working, or unresolved health issues.
Our mind may be feeling maxed out and not getting the chance to empty out and have a true break for any length of time.
Our soul can be madly vying for our attention after we’ve ignored a multitude of nudges towards a wider perspective of ourselves and life.
We’ll kick our own door down
The thing is, any one of these aspects will knock the door down if we don’t pay attention. It’s common for people in burnout to say that suddenly one morning they just couldn’t get up and go to work. It’s only retrospectively that they realise it wasn’t so sudden. They’d ignored all the signs of burnout or fatigue or mis-alignment in life – until the body and mind literally stopped them in their tracks.
I’m one of those people who is happy to learn from other’s misadventures rather than need to hit a wall myself to learn something, so if you’re that way inclined too, let this be a wake-up call. A wake-up call to gently check in with yourself about what nudges you may have been receiving and whether you’ve been responding to them adequately for your highest good. Of course, receiving these words right now will certainly be pointing to any door knocking you have been ignoring.
Wherever you may be on this continuum of nudges or having the whole house shaken, take heart that it’s never too late to take care of yourself and to honour those parts of you calling for attention. It’s never too late to learn to be more self-honouring or to make new and more aligned choices for yourself so that your life is nourishing you in all ways.
Serving and honouring the whole self
You are your whole, wondrous self. All of these aspects of you deserve a seat at the table whether you are at work or at home, or out in the world having fun or being of service. As we embrace all aspects of ourselves and ensure they are all getting what they need, we become more fulfilled, more aligned and find more peace and joy.
This is an invitation to tune in and truly attend to all aspects of yourself and create a turnaround in your life if it’s necessary. Trust yourself that you can do this, that you can ask for any support you need, and that you will create a whole new way of being for yourself as a result.
Health is the first wealth. Claim your right to prosper in all ways. Honouring all parts of you – your mind, body, emotional self and soul – is the path to full awakening, to genuine flourishing.
Affirmations to support you:
I honour all parts of me and take loving care of each of them.
I prosper when my whole self is in balance.
Karen x
