(post inspired by remarks delivered at the 3rd Annual Black Woman’s Wellness Day)
I’m contemplating why wellness matters to me, so much that it is the thread that runs through both my Organizational Development work at Cutts Consulting and success coaching practice through Vision Quest Retreats. Wellness, well at least physical fitness, has always been a part of my life. As a child I was a natural athlete and gratefully my parents encouraged active involvement in sports. My siblings and I all competed in swimming, soccer, tennis, field hockey, lacrosse, you name it. I loved to be outdoors running playing, walking whatever the seasons permitted. So being well and fit was not something I consciously worked on.
Makeda Voletta
As an adult my love for physical activity continued, still swimming, playing tennis, walking and in 2001 I added Ashtanga Yoga to my regular routine. You see I need to move and to exercise. My body, emotional and spiritual health demand it. My original chosen profession; clinical psychology focuses on psychological health of course. Why this natural focus on my own health and helping others get healthy? I’m not sure why or that it matters but perhaps it’s because of my innate sense that in order to carry out my mission, to succeed on my heroine’s quest to realize my visions that I know that I must be strong and healthy. In order to live our my vision to its fullest expression much is demanded of me on all levels of well being, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Perhaps all of this was was really brought to light for me in 1997.
A Breakdown…
I was in the later part of my doctoral program, at the dissertation phase. I was determined to finish my program in the 5 yrs allotted even though many people have taken much longer. The dissertation process can be very demanding intellectually, emotionally and physically and I was driving hard. I studied hard but also played hard (perhaps a little too hard) so in 1997 I hit a wall. My recreational and medicinal use of chemicals such as alcohol to have fun and de-stress got out of control. Thankfully that crash led me to let those things go. So now I could really focus on being truly healthy right? Well not so. Instead I transferred that addictive part of me to work and became obsessed with finishing my dissertation and my program “on time.” My dissertation chair even tried to tell me to take it easy, that it was not crucial that I finish right at 5 yrs but in my usual willful stubborn way I ignored him and pressed on. It was during the Christmas holiday back East that I started to notice little changes that grew more pronounced.
I was terribly fatigued, having heart palpitations, and feeling generally like poop (to use a medical term). Normally able to easily walk my then dog, Thurgood for an hour, I could barely get around the block! Something was clearly terribly wrong so my mother whisked me off to the doctor. After a series of tests it was discovered that my thyroid was way out of whack. I had to undergo treatment, but within three months my thyroid function was completely gone. I would have to take generic medicine for the rest of my life. I was also told that proper diet and exercise would become even more crucial to me staying healthy than they had before. At first I was really bummed out about this but over time I have come to see this in a very different way. I have accepted that I have to be careful with my sensitive system, I have to eat right, continue to exercise, get the proper amount of rest and not let my workaholic tendencies overrule my life. Isn’t this what I should be doing anyway?
Costa Rica 2011
Today I don’t mind caring for my body and health. I’m glad in a way that I have such a sensitive system that tells me when I’m doing too much, when I’m not feeling well and when I’m in danger of getting sick. I listen to my body intently and do what it tells me. I honor who I am and what my limits are so that I can stay the course and achieve my objectives. I conceptualize my life as a heroine’s quest to find my truth and realize my visions. I know that I am a warrior princess and I have a mission and it’s just part of my job to stay fit to carry out this mission.
Through the use of Somatic Coaching (coaching that focuses on the body) I also bring this to my clients, both in organizations and privately. I feel like a big part of my job is to say “don’t forget your body” the vehicle that allows you to carry out your mission. Don’t neglect your well being around emotion and spirit. I know for me and think this true for others that in order to live our lives to the fullest and bring excellence to all that we do we must be healthy and strong. Have you ever known an out of shape warrior?
What’s your story? Where does wellness figure in your life? What do you do to take care of yourself? Drop me a line with comments @ Dr.Cutts@nicolecutts.com
(photo of Makeda Voletta https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001888323765 )
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