Xtraordinary Women Magazine September 2014 | Page 24

‘5-A-DAY’
FOR THE

SOUL
So. We have our fruits and
vegetables daily, our vitamins
and supplements, we go to the
gym, we visit our doctor, we
rely on our cosmetics, our
clothes and accessories to
keep us healthy, fit, happy and
feeling good in different ways.
Our bodies are taken care of,
and family and friends keep our
spirits up…Well, most of the
time!
But what do we do daily to care for our souls? Our faith or spirituality, therapy,
talking to a good friend…. these are all ways. What I am interested in (being a practical
person) is what we can do ourselves, every day, to nourish our souls, without
depending on anything external, without having to wait for anything to come and save
our day. Because this is the beauty of life, ladies: we all have what it takes to take
care of our souls, to connect deeply and inhabit ourselves more and more, every single
day.
You might ask: but do I really need this deep connection to myself? To which I ask in
return: Who are you without it? Can you really afford not to live your truth in this world?
If you don’t connect to your deepest needs, then who will? Who can truly know you
but yourself? And how can you be your best self for your family, your business, your
community, if your power doesn’t come from your own centre?
I know this is a lot to ask ourselves in one go, and getting to know ourselves is like
learning a language: it is practice, practice, practice! So it occurred to me to put
together a ‘5-a-day’ for the soul – small steps we can all take, every day, to get closer
and closer to knowing the beautiful women that we are at our core.
So here are my ‘5-a-day’:
1. Listen to yourself. Connect to your needs when they appear. Don’t delay: give your
soul the reverence it deserves – you wouldn’t ignore a friend! Sense your feelings
and longings in your body (they do manifest there, try it and see!), and just be with
them as if you were with that good friend, offering them your presence.
You are practicing compassion for yourself by stopping and paying attention.
2. Listen to others. Truly listen behind their words, for their dreams and especially for
their deepest needs. Look at others with fresh eyes; see their potential. Then see
what happens between you, the quality in the air….
You are practicing honoring other people’s presence in your life.