What a day!

          Sinking into my office chair with a hot cup of peppermint tea in hand, I closed my eyes and began to breathe in all that was good, true and lovely. Exhaling everything that could no longer remain in my spirit, I took notice of just how heavy my head, arms and legs felt in the moment.

          Between supporting my kids in their homeschooling, managing a new medical diagnosis and running a business amidst all of the other daily to-do’s, I could not help but recognize and feel the mounting pressure around my heart space. My limbs were heavy and fatigued and the ultimate state of my weary thoughts were moving as if in slow motion, trying their very best to function on any remaining power I had left.

         With another sip of tea and another cleansing breath, I stopped in that moment and audibly whispered to my spirit, “Thank you!”

          “Thank you?! Why on earth would you thank yourself for a state of heaviness upon your mind, body and spirit?” Great questions! Let me explain.

           You see, all parts of me are welcome. The good, the tough, the broken and the mended. Every piece and part of my being has come into existence at one time in my life or another to protect, sustain or teach me something. Each moment of pain, joy, heartbreak and victory have allowed me the space and opportunity to grow ever continually into the person that I am and that I need to be today.

          I am not who I was 5 days ago, 5 months ago, 5 years ago! And for that I am thankful! My mind, body and spirit are constantly learning, grieving, achieving, evolving, healing.

          Did I always have a posture of thankfulness for the heavy and feelings of overwhelm? No, no, no, I did not. This took years of intentional work and purposeful practice on minding my mind, body and spirit.

       Though I am certainly far from perfect at honoring all the parts of me all of the time, I am stepping with greater intention each day into purposefully recognizing just how incredible my body is to alerting me of changes and shifts within. Why? Because they grant me the opportunity to honor and hold space for myself, to learn from the moment and ultimately grow.

          Every magnificent part of your being is a part of you for a reason too! It came to you in the season it was meant to with a great purpose to teach, protect, support, nurture or even guide you.

“Today you are you that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”

~Dr. Seuss

          As you step into this new day, in all of its inevitable ups and downs, try to be aware, tuning into the alerts your mind, body and spirit are sending you with a posture of thankfulness. All parts of you; The tough, the rough, the good, the beautiful and even the work-in-progress are all welcome. Let every part of you be a springboard into allowing yourself to mind your mind, body and spirit.

          “Thank you _______ for letting me know that something is off within. I see you, I hear you, I feel you. And I will take the next best steps to take care of you!”

          Just as we support our children when they are hurting or having a “no good, very bad day,” so too do we need to come to the aid of our own self when we are hurting or struggling. For if we are misaligned in mind, body and spirit, it is that much harder to be present, connected and attuned to our children. We cannot give on an empty cup! Taking seriously the cues our body sends to us on a daily basis is important.

          If you find yourself today tuning into an alert from within of rising anxiety, fear, stress or fatigue just to name a few, thank your body for letting you know that something is offline. Then, take the active steps to mind your mind! The phone calls, the emails, the laundry, the cooking, the cleaning, the to-do’s can all spare the time and space you need to hold for yourself in this moment as you take a deep breath, assessing what it is that you need in order to come back to center. While this is not an easy practice, it is a necessary one! And with time, it will become stronger and ever more powerful as you hold intentional, purposeful space for your mind, body and spirit.

About the Author

Meg Klettke is the proud owner alongside her husband, Alex of Family Strong Sussex, a SKILLZ Lifetime Gold studio in Southeastern Wisconsin. With a background in traditional and alternative therapeutics, Meg is an active advocate for today’s youth. Her passion for supporting and nurturing the whole child resonates through all she does as a Proud Ninja Mom of two boys with special needs, Certified Pediatric Ninja Specialist and Content Creator for SKILLZ Worldwide

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