While on a short but blissful hike earlier this week, I ran across a sign that directed hikers to a newly cut trail in order to let the old path recover from use and erosion. The sign asked travelers to please "let the land heal." As I obeyed I found myself wondering if this message wasn't meant for me on a more personal level. I have been feeling pretty impatient with every facet of my health -- physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. I want to be better right away in all of these areas. I want to return to my peak physical fitness now, run a half-marathon now, rediscover a stronger relationship with God now. But I've forgotten that I need to "let the land heal" first. I have to be gentler and more forgiving with myself, and allow myself to improve slowly.
How do you deal with healing of any kind? Are you content to take life down a notch, or find yourself chomping at the bit like me during the road to recovery? How do you deal with the fact that you're not the version of yourself you'd like to be [yet]?
Hey Betherann...I def struggle with the same issues...I feel like I never get to the person I want to be...but then, if we ARE the person we wanted to be, we would be perfect, and there really is no meaning on earth anyway, because I think Life itself is a university...a progress of learning and adventures, in which God teaches us and forms us. So don't worry, Betherann...God IS shaping you right now, even if you're not quite "there" yet..
ReplyDeleteEspecially along the lines of my eating disorder recovery, it can be hard to "let the land heal", but for the most part, I'm content to let life take me where it wants to go and work along with it. That's a great message, though, and I'm going to try to remember that!
ReplyDeleteOk I know I'm 25 and am supposed to be a "grown up" but to heal I run home to my parents' house. They live where I grew up for 18 years on the coast of NC and it just feels like my soul is at home there w/ the warmth, sunshine, and ocean. It's also such a deep comfort to have your parents cook for you, tidy the rest of the house, etc. when you're old enough to appreciate it for what it's worth. A couple weeks with them in the summer makes me feel refreshed and like myself again.
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