Nourish

 


Thank you for all the prayers and well-wishes for my dad. He continues to improve and we are hoping within the week he will be out of ICU. He was admitted on February 22nd and throughout the early days and the unknownness I've been pondering on the word Nourish.

How do I nourish my body, mind and spirit?

As you know, I was thoroughly enjoying writing a haiku a day and doing a bit of art sketching to go with the words. That daily process stopped the day he was admitted. I just didn't feel like writing or sketching. I gave myself grace to quit. Maybe at the beginning of April I will start back up? I also gave myself grace to blog when I can instead of blogging on a set schedule.

Nourishing my mind for me is letting go of some creative pursuits and clinging to the ones that soothe me. I continue to meditate daily, knit daily and do a bit of reading. I pack knitting for the hospital visits in case there is waiting time to visit. When I visit by myself, I also pack a book to read for the same reason. 

Nourishing my body is easy. I walk daily if the weather permits and I continue to do my daily exercises. As for eating, well I'm giving myself grace in that as well. Some meals I'm eating on the fly, some I can plan out and sit down with my husband. We've been leaning on salads and heating up already cooked meals from the fridge or freezer. My grocery lists are thinly made and I'm just going with whatever the mood dictates.

Nourishing my spirit is daily prayers and thanksgivings. I'm living in the present moment and focusing on the day's gratitudes. Watching an early spring has been wonderful for my soul! Every day I am witnessing mother nature doing her very best to bring forth blooms against a brown/gray landscape.  

So how do you nourish yourself?

Comments

  1. BonnyMarch 10, 2023 at 8:31 AM

    It sounds as if you have realized that letting go of the unnecessary and doing more of the nourishing, sustaining parts of your life is essential, especially in stressful times. I've been nourishing my body and mind with more baking and cooking. Today is sausage corn chowder and homemade bread. Sending all good thoughts and prayers for your dad.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AsKatKnitsMarch 10, 2023 at 9:10 AM

    I am so glad your dad continues to improve! That is very nourishing news! I think self care can be a tricky thing... but it seems like you are putting yourself near the top of the list... which is the best start! XO

    ReplyDelete
  3. VeraMarch 10, 2023 at 12:50 PM

    Such good news about your Dad improving daily. Continuing prayers and healing thoughts for him. Sounds like you have an excellent idea of how to care for YOU during this time, and that is simply wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CathieJMarch 10, 2023 at 5:53 PM

    Living in the moment is the best way to nourish your soul when a loved one is ill. Wishing your Dad continuing recovery to better health.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Deb J. in UtahMarch 10, 2023 at 6:17 PM

    It is good news that your dad continues to improve. I am glad that you are taking care of yourself as you continue to visit you dad. I know you love to knit and read, so it is good that the visiting times give you an opportunity to do both. I hope you have a good weekend. Continued prayers for your dad and family.

    ReplyDelete
  6. JaneMarch 10, 2023 at 8:12 PM

    I am glad you have some encouraging news about your Dad. Giving yourself some grace to do what feels nourishing to you is so wise.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My Creative LifeMarch 11, 2023 at 5:42 PM

    It's good to know your limits when times are hard. Worrying and caring for loved ones can be stressful indeed. I think, that like you I withdraw from any heavy commitments and try to focus on calmer things. It's good that you find peace with gentle knitting and relaxing reading. Thinking of you x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Judy S.March 11, 2023 at 7:59 PM

    Sounds like you have done a good job dealing with stress! And so glad your dad is improving. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  9. JuliannMarch 11, 2023 at 11:42 PM

    Good news about your dad and it sounds like you are doing a good job of listening to what you need. I recently bought some lovely hand cream because I want to nourish my hands. They bring me such joy as I stitch and knit and they deserve the extra care.

    ReplyDelete
  10. MaryMarch 12, 2023 at 7:07 AM

    Sending up prayers! I've been nourishing my spirit with Wendell Berry's Sabbath poetry; it's lovely.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment


Your comments are welcome as long as they are relevant to the post and spread joy, thank you for visiting and sharing your ideas.

Popular posts from this blog

Weekends

Image
My weekend happily contained: -wearing the above woolens all at the same time without being hot -so many walks and taking in the changing leaves. -a leaf shower on Saturday-the wind swirled the leaves off the trees up in the air to float down -changing screen savers to autumn themes! -a craft fair where my husband and I say "we could make that", but we don't. -french fries at the craft fair -scrambled eggs and toast for dinner because we were lazy. -football season has descended in my house. he was in the front room watching whatever is on today -I sat in the family room and watched A Tree Grows in Brooklyn .   Now I want to read it again. -Oh! I finished the socks!! So I wound up about six skeins of yarn and have three projects ready -started a cowl for me in fall colors (I hope to finish before fall ends) -enjoying Spirits of Joy .  Hannah graciously had a one day free sign up for her birthday at the end of September which I luckily saw on Twitter.  Than...
Read more

Happy List

Image
  - neighborhood pumpkins - my oak trees showing off - new friends at 'school' - Tai Chi hour - lunch out with my husband - cold morning walks - an unexpected warm up - all the fall knitting (imagined and real) - wearing wool - browsing knitting patterns - sister outings - dark chocolate - blue skies - neighborhood dogs - the kids coming to visit next weekend - the to-do lists that I am creating - afternoon reading (possible snooze) - apples! - soups! - hearing the breeze whisper through the trees - setting intentions - giving myself grace when I need it the most - solitude - grandchildren laughing - Holly being Holly - Blue skies - phone calls from family and friends - the kindness of others - assuming everyone is doing their best - drinking water and staying hydrated - hot decaf green tea in a BIG mug - first sip of coffee - geese flying in V formation and honking all the way (delightful!!) - Focusing on gratitude - focusing on joy  What would make your happy list?
Read more

Weekends

Image
  Good morning! How are you? How was your weekend? I had a great weekend but I didn't take any great photos. I've been wrapping presents a little bit each day instead of doing it all in one massive long day. This has made a difference in my joy as I wrap. Do you wrap all at once? Or do you do a little bit at a time? Miss Holly has been finding the sun spots and getting her 'tan' going. She is a sweetie. I have no idea what she is watching outside that window. She does that every day. My guess is probably birds or chipmunks but chipmunks should be resting now that it's super cold outside. Sadly I did not take any photos of my knitting, but I have been knitting! I continue to work on my husband's hat and I ripped out a pair of mitts I started (couldn't see the dark yarn with cabling) and started a much simpler pattern instead. Sunday was church then the laundry. I am getting excited for the upcoming holidays. The kids are coming back with the grandchildren and...
Read more