I "restacked" this post Janice and in truth don't know if I've done it correctly so I'm adding my comment back here as well.
Thank you Janice for your thoughtful and insightful approaches to all who are walking this path with “us” for I know there are many. I love your consideration of those two words: wellness and well-being. Please remember to be gentle with yourself. My own experience of “trusting” my mantra of “Perfectly on Time” continues to provide me with that option to pause, reflect and understand that those moments of despair do come and go.
Beautiful! Well being, the art of being well. Acceptance of Truths that govern all. We can work with this law. We can agree on how the nature of the mind works. How our body works, and take necessary steps for achieving its optimal state. I'm “ok” after training hard. It is different for different people. What is best is to know what is “ok” for you and to always strive for the highest possibility for yourself without feeling bad about your current situation. If you ask me, as soon as you wake up, you won. 🫶
I’ve had my mother living with me, just the two of us, for three years now. She is 88, I am 66. Most days I have a few hours in the middle of the day that I can get away and safely leave her alone. Taking myself out to lunch is one of my favorite treats. I also have a favorite library that I like to go to and sit in the calm quite to read. These things help w my well-being. I’ve read that caretaking for an older parent can be a toll on one’s life expectancy. I imagine the interaction of wellness and wellbeing have something to do with that.
Debbie, I think so regarding caretaking. And that's why understanding about both is key. I was managing the wellness dimensions, but was not taking care of my wellbeing. You are fortunate to have those few hours and I love hearing what you are doing.
Our wellness and wellbeing can be boosted by lifting our spirit. When confronted by any of life's big downers, that can be challenging. I have developed paths and bridges back to my sense of humor and the things I love to regain balance. This can seem undoable initially, but like any recovery one starts with small steps and stays the course with a little growth at a time, day by day. Until one day, you have moved on and are in a new place. Those little steps can include reading a favorite author, watching a favorite tv show or movie or writing to a friend or relative or sitting in a park. Don't let writing down positive thoughts seem too easy. Just taking the time to think of them can help!
Here is something a friend sent me to lift my spirits after losing a much-loved cat.
'One cannot stop the birds of sorrow from flying over one's head but one
can stop them from building a nest in one's hair.'
This image helped me still love my sweet cat while resetting my relationship to the sorrow. I hope these thoughts will help you, too.
Sandy, I love that quote. Thanks for sharing it. And the idea of "developing paths and bridges back to my sense of humor and the things I love to regain balance." One thing I do is ask myself "what do I need right now?" It could be a shower, an online shopping trip, or just a walk outdoors.
Janice, hope your leg muscle is feeling better. These things can take a while to be 'all better'. When I seriously strained my back almost 2 years ago, I found everything I did was related to those muscles. Even lifting a full tea kettle had to be reduced to a half full kettle. And living in a 2-story house was truly a challenge. I lived downstairs for the first few weeks. It was about 4 months before I could get through the better part of the day in any sort of a normal way. The good news is that my body has healed completely! I can vacuum, rake leaves and haul the garden hose around to the flower beds and other such things that were not doable last year. In my mid 70's it is good to know that my body still has healing powers!
I also wanted to say that I like your way of asking yourself, "What do I need now?" I would love to see a post about how other people find treats for themselves.
My big treat when I sprained my back was to have a cleaning woman come it once a week to help me with the things I simply could not do for myself. I also started using Instacart at that time. (partly because of Covid) And I continue to use it to this day!
Hi Sandy, Thanks for checking. It is definitely getting better - I am walking more normally and using the stair steps carefully. Isn't it amazing that our bodies continue to heal? It may take a little longer but it does happen. Like you, I have a cleaner and I use Amazon Fresh. I would love to hear how others treat themselves too.
Really found this idea of looking at wellness and well-being separately to assess how I am doing. With a good deal of work I have constructed a life where my well-being (my contentedness) is quite good, even when my wellness is not tip-top. But this is a reminder of how these two elements are interdependent and well, and that I have to work on both. So, I struggle with making sure that my efforts to work on my well-being (walks, healthy eating, etc don't get in the way of well-being. For example, if I push the exercise too much, which can increase pain, which can interfere with sleep, it is hard to get the writing done which contributes so much to my well-being. So, I really can sympathize with how that pulled muscle caused problems in your well-being. Hope both body and soul heal smoothly.
Hi, I'm getting there. Your point is perfect about how the two work together. Part of my wellbeing has to do with a certain routine and the wellness focus upset that. The balance of which you speak is key.
How is your sense of wellbeing? I’d say mine needs a booster shot.
The 4 A's. They are now posted on my fridge! Thanks, Janice.
I "restacked" this post Janice and in truth don't know if I've done it correctly so I'm adding my comment back here as well.
Thank you Janice for your thoughtful and insightful approaches to all who are walking this path with “us” for I know there are many. I love your consideration of those two words: wellness and well-being. Please remember to be gentle with yourself. My own experience of “trusting” my mantra of “Perfectly on Time” continues to provide me with that option to pause, reflect and understand that those moments of despair do come and go.
Beautiful! Well being, the art of being well. Acceptance of Truths that govern all. We can work with this law. We can agree on how the nature of the mind works. How our body works, and take necessary steps for achieving its optimal state. I'm “ok” after training hard. It is different for different people. What is best is to know what is “ok” for you and to always strive for the highest possibility for yourself without feeling bad about your current situation. If you ask me, as soon as you wake up, you won. 🫶
Lunch is always a good idea. 🫶
Thanks for this beautiful writing 🫶
Sharron, I love it!!!
I’ve had my mother living with me, just the two of us, for three years now. She is 88, I am 66. Most days I have a few hours in the middle of the day that I can get away and safely leave her alone. Taking myself out to lunch is one of my favorite treats. I also have a favorite library that I like to go to and sit in the calm quite to read. These things help w my well-being. I’ve read that caretaking for an older parent can be a toll on one’s life expectancy. I imagine the interaction of wellness and wellbeing have something to do with that.
Debbie, I think so regarding caretaking. And that's why understanding about both is key. I was managing the wellness dimensions, but was not taking care of my wellbeing. You are fortunate to have those few hours and I love hearing what you are doing.
Our wellness and wellbeing can be boosted by lifting our spirit. When confronted by any of life's big downers, that can be challenging. I have developed paths and bridges back to my sense of humor and the things I love to regain balance. This can seem undoable initially, but like any recovery one starts with small steps and stays the course with a little growth at a time, day by day. Until one day, you have moved on and are in a new place. Those little steps can include reading a favorite author, watching a favorite tv show or movie or writing to a friend or relative or sitting in a park. Don't let writing down positive thoughts seem too easy. Just taking the time to think of them can help!
Here is something a friend sent me to lift my spirits after losing a much-loved cat.
'One cannot stop the birds of sorrow from flying over one's head but one
can stop them from building a nest in one's hair.'
This image helped me still love my sweet cat while resetting my relationship to the sorrow. I hope these thoughts will help you, too.
Sandy, I love that quote. Thanks for sharing it. And the idea of "developing paths and bridges back to my sense of humor and the things I love to regain balance." One thing I do is ask myself "what do I need right now?" It could be a shower, an online shopping trip, or just a walk outdoors.
Janice, hope your leg muscle is feeling better. These things can take a while to be 'all better'. When I seriously strained my back almost 2 years ago, I found everything I did was related to those muscles. Even lifting a full tea kettle had to be reduced to a half full kettle. And living in a 2-story house was truly a challenge. I lived downstairs for the first few weeks. It was about 4 months before I could get through the better part of the day in any sort of a normal way. The good news is that my body has healed completely! I can vacuum, rake leaves and haul the garden hose around to the flower beds and other such things that were not doable last year. In my mid 70's it is good to know that my body still has healing powers!
I also wanted to say that I like your way of asking yourself, "What do I need now?" I would love to see a post about how other people find treats for themselves.
My big treat when I sprained my back was to have a cleaning woman come it once a week to help me with the things I simply could not do for myself. I also started using Instacart at that time. (partly because of Covid) And I continue to use it to this day!
Hi Sandy, Thanks for checking. It is definitely getting better - I am walking more normally and using the stair steps carefully. Isn't it amazing that our bodies continue to heal? It may take a little longer but it does happen. Like you, I have a cleaner and I use Amazon Fresh. I would love to hear how others treat themselves too.
This is a great response. The little steps matter. Thank you.
Hi Patti, I think so - one little step at a time builds to something stronger.
Really found this idea of looking at wellness and well-being separately to assess how I am doing. With a good deal of work I have constructed a life where my well-being (my contentedness) is quite good, even when my wellness is not tip-top. But this is a reminder of how these two elements are interdependent and well, and that I have to work on both. So, I struggle with making sure that my efforts to work on my well-being (walks, healthy eating, etc don't get in the way of well-being. For example, if I push the exercise too much, which can increase pain, which can interfere with sleep, it is hard to get the writing done which contributes so much to my well-being. So, I really can sympathize with how that pulled muscle caused problems in your well-being. Hope both body and soul heal smoothly.
Hi, I'm getting there. Your point is perfect about how the two work together. Part of my wellbeing has to do with a certain routine and the wellness focus upset that. The balance of which you speak is key.
I never thought before about the distinction between wellness and well-being. Thanks.
Don, the truth is - I hadn't either and it made so much sense, once I read about them.