Generally, I take the week between Christmas and New Year’s off–for catching up, reflection, planning… We pull cards from the Motherpeace deck, draw pictures symbolizing our hopes/goals/wishes, and enjoy the creative process of birthing a new year.
That was the plan.
Instead the two human bodies in this household had other ideas—Time for the Immune System Reboot. That means the very bad cold that shuts down any energy and forces one into the barest of essentials. Eat, sleep, enjoy the warmth of the shower, but not much else.
There can be an attitude in the Mind-Over-Matter world that condemns any illness. If you had just had a better attitude or whatever, this wouldn’t be happening. Makes it hard when you are struggling with illness or injury or any other challenge.
However, both my DC-days (he led the studies at NIH on acupuncture and energy medicine) and my MA acupuncturists taught me that getting 1-2 colds or flu a year is actually a sign of a healthy immune system doing an overall tune-up, when the rest of the year one is generally healthy.
And it does increase the empathy for those who are challenged by chronic illnesses and injuries, the folks I know who suffer far worse everyday. I have really been thinking about my friends and clients who suffer from health challenges such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Babesia, all of the various forms of cancer, etc. I am in the two-year anniversary of a broken wrist, which opens my heart to those with injuries, both acute and chronic. So much of society is based on the assumptions of healthy, able bodies.
So I have been to acupuncture, and I am taking it slow and low-keyed. The tasks and goals have been put on hold for now, and I want to be appreciative of the reboot timing.
While I would of course rather be drawing pictures of my 2020 dreams and goals and pulling cards, basking in the rich symbols and creativity they evoke, I feel lucky to have this opportunity to meditate on sending healing energy for all, and especially those who suffer from chronic and especially acute conditions.
Health is such a gift and a privilege. If you have it, please pause and take note of how lucky you are.
If you don’t, may you experience love, understanding, and a million large and small kindnesses coming your way.
Here’s to the “2020” vision that creates greater empathy and healing for all.