Marcoujor: My Health Coach

marcoujor

In May of last year, the death of my beautiful Aunt Baby hit me hard.

​For ten years, my dog-daughter had been my constant companion, therapist and partner in crime.

Now both were gone from my life. I felt her loss on every level.

Physically I developed a sciatica condition, making it difficult to move or rest comfortably.

Emotionally, I was sad, listless and found it challenging to concentrate. I felt a spiritual emptiness as Aunt Baby was a connection to my mom.

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Aunt Baby

Knowing that neither Mom nor Aunt Baby would approve of my malaise, I reminded myself that healthy eating, attention to exercise and good sleep makes all the difference in one's mindset and well-being.

Last summer, I was prescribed an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) and a muscle relaxer twice daily. I also had a cortisone injection for the sciatica. 
 
My next step was to wean myself off these medications with my doctor's support. I'm currently taking one multi-vitamin a day, which is just fine by me.
 
I am appreciating the value of food as the best medicine of all, learning a great deal from the flashPress Farmacopeia series written on the blog there called femme's Desk.

Last August, I even hired a live-in health coach. As a result, my love of life and my energy has returned full throttle.
 
My coach is not much of a talker. He realizes that 'actions speak louder than words'.
 
My coach is a natural teacher. He reminds me of things I've always known, yet tend to forget when stressed or sad.
 
My coach is supportive and loving. In fact, he was more than okay with sharing his life strategies with you.

1. The present is a present.
   
2. Patience is preferable.
   
3. Quiet time is a daily must.
   
4. Listening is golden.
   
5. Do what you are doing.
   
6. Change happens - roll with it.
   
7. Every day is a new excuse to be happy.
   
8. Laugh - or at the very least - smile.
   
9. You don't always have to catch the ball - just play.
   
10. Your thoughts are your most powerful armor.

I realize now that Aunt Baby had a role in the hiring of my coach. She had taken her job as Mommy's therapist very seriously - wanting me to focus on happy times together, while living every day of my life to its fullest.
 
When my coach applied for the job, he was a 'paw-in'. 

He jumped into my arms when we met, as his role model had done ten years previously.

As with Aunt Baby, that sealed the deal. 

Can you blame me?

Oh, and I still paws for music every day.

This is one of Andy's favorites...mine too actually:
 
Jane Siberry, Everything Reminds Me of My Dog

Andy Jordan, live-in therapist

​Other recent posts that may interest you are...

• Easy Gingerbread Loaf via WarnerWords

• Victoria Warner: Are Internet Friends "Real" Friends? via flashPress

Until next week, wishing you peace,

mar

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