Warm Tea and Warm Socks

So maybe my friend is right. Maybe I need to rethink the "live life to the fullest and do everything you can" philosophy, and spend more time taking care of my health, slowing down, eating better, and resting. Otherwise, like today, I find myself resting because there is no other option. Its so hard to find that right balance and it gets all wound up with that darn Christian work ethic. If you are not working every minute you are somehow a slackard and a failure who will be looked down upon. It also gets all wound up with the darn reaction-to-devastating-disease thing where you realize how short life is and how you should take advantage of every moment, because is will be gone before you know it.

Sigh. Well, today there is no philosophizing. There is only tiredness and aching. So I will forgo my morning walk for a few days, and use my beautiful new socks to do as I have been directed - put my feet up and let my body heal. I kind of like that idea at the moment. I make my way to the big blue recliner, carefully balancing my hot out of the microwave cup of ginger green tea, and settle in, tip back, and close my eyes.

I take a mouthful of the warm and fragrant tea, hold it in my mouth for a few minutes before swallowing until that little spot on my soft palate, way at the back of my throat, is thoroughly warmed and retains the heat for long seconds after swallowing. It brings such a sense of relaxation that I sip another mouthful and purposely swirl it around in my mouth to make sure I hit all of that tender spot before swallowing. Oooo - good! I can feel the warmth right down to the tips of my purple teal blue thick comfy socks. Ahhh.

I know time is short before I need to go to work, even though I am going in late today. Its hard not to let my mind run ahead anticipating all the things that beckon, all the lines on the to-do list. But each time I catch myself, I tell myself, "Self, stop that." Just breath and rest. Be relaxed. Let your body do its job without distraction. Let all those repair molecules have time to fix the cracks, the breeches, the worn out parts. Let THEM be busy this morning, and you take pleasure in letting them do their God-given work. Amen!