(The Temperance Card – Rider Waite Tarot Deck )

A few years ago I got sick, very sick with Glandular fever.

I remember being unable to hold a spoon when my mum brought me up soup.

On a visit to the hospital to get blood tests, I was so weak it must have taken me ten minutes to walk down one corridor.

On the way back from that hospital trip I craved some salty Mcdonald’s fries, but was too utterly exhausted to actually step into one, so we had to go to a drive thru.

It meant that I had to go part-time in my job, despite the fact I had just been promoted.

Six months after that, I eventually left to work part-time for a longer period of time.

Even now, three years later I am not at all the same in regards to energy levels. I give myself a lot of time to do everything, including allowing myself 2 hours to get ready before work.

After a week, days or even hours of excitement I have to go to bed for a disproportionate amount of time to recuperate.

I spend as much time as I can on my own, just so that I can have the energy to function at all other times when I am around people.

Any way – enough with the violins and sob story!

The reason I am telling you all of this is because getting sick changed my life for the better

.

 I will never be the same again, but I will be a better me.

Being sick taught me a fundamental lesson, the need to get balanced.

(Ten of Swords – Rider Waite Tarot Deck)

The card above looks pretty devastating. The figure is lying on the floor, their body completed covered in swords. They have literally been stabbed in the back!

It’s a card of exhaustion but also a card of renewal.

The number is 10 – a number of completion and new beginning.

You see, once you hit rock bottom, the only way is up.

(Regeneration card – Wisdom of the Oracle Deck, by Colette Baron Reid)

Regenerate.

Understand that hitting the bottom is a call for regeneration.

This does not mean we will be back where we once were, rather it means that we will be able to build fresh foundations. Lasting foundations.

I wasn’t very good with boundaries before I got sick. I had a very hard time saying ‘No’ to people and to myself.

Once I became sick, I simply had no choice.

Once I became better I heeded the warning.

Because that is what hitting rock bottom is – a warning.

Rock bottom can be the end, or it can be the beginning.

(Image from Dharma Comics – Dharmacomics.com)

So how can we stop oursleves from hitting rock bottom repeatedly?

How can we build ourseves back up if we do?

Balance.

Learn to say no

It really is a skill.  I’ve read countless articles about learning to say no to people and situations. One thing I have taken away from it all;  is to take time to make a decision.

Don’t commit yourself to anything straight away. Take the time to decide if it is really right for you, and don’t be afraid to say that you need time to think about it.

Often when we are put on the spot, it can be hard to say no. If we take the time to process a request, it becomes a lot easier.

Understand that life is about Giving and Receiving

If you are the only one giving in any situation – stop. See if you can learn to receive.

This may not mean that you will receive in the way that you give, but that’s the beauty in life. We are all different.

Give others a chance to give to you. (See- even that is an act of giving)

Rest 

In rest we find our deepest selves.

Finding the time to listen to yourself is paramount in maintaining balance.

Your body and your mind will tell you exactly what you need , in rest (before burn out) you can hear it.

(Image from TinyBuddha.com)

So the next few blog posts will be about more specific ways to maintain balance including Meditation and Grounding.

Look out for the next ones!

Much love Txx