Joy Diet - Truth Dance

On Friday my book arrived at the bookstore, at the 10% discount price they generously offer for 'book club' books. I'm part of a 'women's spirituality' book group that meets weekly, & asked if I could receive the same discount for an on-line group, back when we were 'doing' the 12 Secrets.

I'm still working on getting 15 minutes of 'do nothing, & thinking about Truth as I read the first couple of chapters. One of my galfriends commented that some of her best 'do nothing' time takes place in a bath - oh yes!!

I love baths! I light a couple of candles (in a wall sconce), turn off the overhead, turn on the sink faucet for a couple of minutes to warm the water, do a bit of a Japanese 'rinse' in with the shower, then flip the stopper lever, pour in some epsom salts, & soak!!

I know some folks prefer showers, & I enjoy the connivance of rinsing off first - but give me a bath any day!! When I moved to the coast from Breitenbush in the mid 90s, the wee duplex had a shower in each section, but no tubs!! Fortunately, there was an electric sauna, & I regularly cranked it up, put on a CD with Cherokee chants, & steamed. So my friend's insight about nothing being 'easy - just get in the water' was delightful!

I've noticed several comments about movement arising with Truth - several people talking about loving dancing, & getting past negative self talk to get out on the floor & move! I, too, find dance takes me home in many ways. Since my mom had polio at 9, I realized that my whole gestation & early patterning had an awkward overlay. She walked with crutches, for balance, & which gave her an unsteady gait. We camped a lot, she loved to read & do crafts - sitting ocupations. Bird watching was another love, & she was sad when she saw birds 'constrained' by aviaries - was it a reminder of her own constraints?

I hated 'ball sports' & PE - but loved paper dolls, & had several ballet dancers among them. What a treat, in my 20s, to discover a world class teacher & studio in my in-laws' home town! We commuted, both visting family & taking several classes a week, moving here after 4 years. & it took a few more till my lower body 'caught up' with the grace of my upper body.

Along with massage, I studied Tai chi, another 'graceful' form. People see me as a dancer & graceful - something I didn't dream of in my awkward, shy teen years! This was another aid in reframing my 'story' - becoming more authentic.

Another piece of the story - having older parents & being an 'only' child; much of my childhood was spent with adults, much reading or doing crafts. Having a mother on crutches, I probably did less around the house than some of my contemporaries, as my mom had been brought up with a 'I can do it myself' attitude!! I did help scrub cupboards, traded off with the dishtowel (with my dad, mom always washed) & brought clothes in from the line.

So though attuned to service with my healing practice, I also respect & encourage independence & follow through on the part of my clients. I find myself impatient with negative self-talk & affirmations - those stories we tell ourselves: "Oh, after 40, you just don't heal like you did at 25 or 30!" "I'll never ____ " "People can't ___" . . .
I often invite reframing, & remind myself of that as well.

I see all healing as self healing, & encourage people to seek options (usually 'natural health' oriented!) Flower essences & Reiki are two ways I touch bases with reframing stories, both my own, & those of other beings.