You may have heard already that my husband was injured. He lost consciousness and fell onto the subway tracks on February 19. It’s been a tough week-and-a-half. He’s now on the physical and occupational therapy floor of the hospital, so we’re seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.
Through this experience, lots of people have said to me, “Take care of yourself.” I know that’s sometimes just something to say, like “Have a nice day,” but there’s been a powerful energy behind this message from many caring friends. I’m taking their advice seriously, trying to follow it, and pondering what this simple admonition really means.
With the extra obligations on my plate right now, I have to be rested. I have to be calm. I have be fed. Otherwise, I couldn’t cope. The night of William’s accident, I got no sleep — a genuine all-nighter like I remember from high school when taking No-Doz tablets and cramming for a test seemed sophisticated, grown up and, frankly, fun. At this phase of life, seven hours in a cold ER plus 36 hours without sleep meant that I ended up with a cold. It lasted only a few days but it was harder to do what I needed to do with the added burden of a drippy nose (and having to wear a mask in the hospital). In that instance, I had no choice; an emergency was going on. But since then, I’ve made some “selfish” choices to be sure I’d be up for the long haul.
One delightful gift on this front happened with Ruby Warrington, my guest on the episode of the Main Street Vegan podcast that’s up right now. Ruby is the author of Material Girl, Mystical World, and Sober Curious, a movement she founded to support people who don’t have a drinking problem but who think their lives might be better if they chose to never (or rarely) drink.
Toward the end of the interview, she mentioned that she practices Transcendental Meditation (TM). I told her that I did, too, but that I’d never managed to consistently get in the recommended second daily meditation, suggested for late afternoons. Somehow one of us realized that that was Ash Wednesday, and that instead of giving something up for Lent, we could commit to that second meditation for the 40-day period. We agreed to bookend the practice with each other via text every day. We shook hands and made it official.
Believe me, with everyting going on right now, there’s no way I would be taking 40 minutes a day out of my life to meditate (two sessions, twenty minutes each) without this commitment. But with Ruby’s support, I’m doing it day by day. Sometimes it’s evening or bedtime instead of late afternoon, but it happens.
And I’m eating food that grew, and cutting to-do’s from my list, and I’ve had the away message on my email from time to time so people get a response from me when I’m not able to respond directly. Of course I want to be WonderWoman, to amaze myself with “How does she do it all?” But I know that if I weren’t taking care of myself — being “selfish” sometimes – I wouldn’t be doing half of it. So, allow me to pass onto you what so many people have recently given me: “Take care of yourself.” We’re all counting on you.
Victoria Moran is the author of Main Street Vegan, Creating a Charmed Life, Younger by the Day, and The Good Karma Diet. She hosts the Main Street Vegan Podcast and is the founder and director of Main Street Vegan Academy, training and certifying Vegan Lifestyle Coaches and Educators. And once or twice, she’s tried her hand at standup.
Good job darling Victoria for taking care of yourself. I am so glad you committed to the twice-daily TM practice. I have to say that I never miss a session. However I do find sometimes the afternoon session is the most difficult to get myself to sit down and stop doing my big to do list. But at the end of the day it was so worth it.. It has been my lifesaver. All my love to you and William, thunder and Forbes.
Oh, thank you, Nina — I’m getting onto to that meditation right now.
Just want you to know you’re being paid attention to. Even though we might not leave comments, I’m sure I speak for a lot of people who silently cheer you on — and now some cheers for William, too. Give him a little slot in your meditations. I learned about the power of prayer to heal from Larry Dossey, an upcoming podcast guest of mine, who I heard on Oprah talking about that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpnuJJB1y2Q.
I will totally watch this — and listen to your podcast when Dr. Dossey is on. He gave a blurb for one of my books. I love how we’re all connected.
I second Suzanne’s comment–a lot of people are cheering you on! Know that lots of love and hugs are being sent your way from you devoted audience. ;>)
Yes, we are here Victoria, cheering you and William on!! So happy he is recuperating and that you are taking your self-care to heart. <3
2019 was the year I truly started meditation, so I am a newbie. With that being said, I do see how it has transformed my life already. Please know I am sending you positive energy from Sedona to you RIGHT now (and have been thinking of you often). Wishing you life balance and healing for your husband. Hugs. Chris
I can relate. After pushing really hard on numerous fronts for much of the past year, I have been consistently either sick or under the weather since the new year began. While not anything serious, the maladies have been enough to set me back – and realize that I can’t keep up the pace I had set. So I am attempting to achieve better balance between activity and rest. Wishing you much success in your self care efforts!
Rest is key, and managing stress response. At least that’s what I’m finding. Bless you, Leigh.
Thank you for taking good care of yourself as much as possible, and thank you for the encouragement for all of us to practice good self care too.
Sending healing thoughts and support to you and William. I hope he is mending well.
Take good care of yourself. Your friend and fun from Athens – Greece (Remember? We said long time ago that you should come to Greece…)
Warm Greetings.
Anny
Anny – Of course I remember you. And I would LOVE to be in Greece right now!