Day One...New me.

Original art created by Judith Parsons Art #Art Priestess
San Francisco 2018

Picture a well, as in an old fashioned hole dug deep into the earth, upon which people lower buckets to retrieve water. Then picture ladders being placed into the well. They zigzag upward toward the escape of blue sky.

It is time for the final ladder to be placed upon the stack of ladders. It is time to become what I have been asking for my whole life. I am an older woman, so you, as a younger reader might still need to place your previous ladders upon your well.

You see, yesterday I got a wake up call. My own body revealing exactly where it is upon the healthy ladder that is my escape into divine serenity. I never had the self resolve to do it on my on. Admittedly, the doctor wanted to prescribe 3 different medications.

I asked her which was the worst problem. The cholesterol was, it was making my heart beat extra hard, that in turn was giving me high blood pressure. Then the diabetes was another issue that needed a prescription. I decided to go with one prescription. Tomorrow, I will blog about the name of it- and what I have researched.

So the gist of this new day in my life is this. We REAP what we sow. Chances are if you over eat, and you know that you over eat. Then eventually these sorts of issues arise. That whole cause and effect thing…yep. It is the ultimate catch up and bite you in the bum reality. High cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.

So I place my new ladder up the “well” of my life. THIS ladder is going to lead me toward adventures and wonderful exciting life experiences with you guys.

I want to meet you all. It may take 2 years before I venture around the world meeting you all. However, I believe in our connections. I want to bring with me air drying clay and create something that we hang upon your wall. Something that reconnects you to the “well” of your being.

Please, send me your email address. If you would like to join me, and possibly travel with me, lets start a group of adventuresome spirits! 

(put ladder in the subject)
Judithparsonsart@gmail.com

Day 1...What in the world...

This is my “self-care” story. I have been meaning to get healthy my whole life. Today, I am finally paying attention to the signs. I am rolling my eyes at my own words.

(sighing now)

You see, way back, as in 25 years ago-- I had gestational diabetes while pregnant with my first born. Sooooooo truthfully, the signs were pinging me in the head way back when.

Friday morning I walk into my YMCA in Chinatown and see the “get your blood sugar level checked for free” table. I immediately throw my rucksack and swim bag in the corner and have a seat at the red tablecloth. I loved that they thought out the red, you know, just in case they prick you and blood spurts all over the tablecloth. 

She pricks my finger, I have done it before and expect the sharp pain from the prick. However, it isn’t as bad as they were 25 years ago. Technology has improved! Yay me!

The blood is flowing really well, running down the side of my finger now. Way past the alcohol tip of skin she prepared. And she gets the blood upon the strip and her eyes go wide. I can’t help but chuckle. I know I shouldn’t- this is my health we are talking about. I sit up, and glance at the number- on the small digital device, and she is trying to hide the number from me. She shows the number to the woman beside her. 

The RN starts asking me if I have a headache, if I have tingling in my hands, (I didn’t then- however- I did a week ago), what I had for breakfast, how long ago I ate, and did I have diabetes in my family.

I had just had a huge buttery croissant for breakfast so it didn’t really bother me that my reading was so high. This was the universe telling me it is time to finally be the person I wanted to be when I grew up. Now, at 57 years young, I am living a purposeful life. I want to get all my ducks in a row - so-to-speak. So this begins my journey toward living my best life.

I am clicking all over the internet. I am looking for someone like me-to tell me what to expect. There are sites that tell you to lose the belly fat, that your beer belly isn’t helping at all.  To avoid MSG, decrease the waist line, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, eat more fruits and vegetables, increase fiber, lower iron levels and “purchase their supplements”. Basically telling you what you already know you should have been doing your whole life.

Oh! There were some helpful how to eat menus. (Thank you Anita) Waving!

So this morning, I walked for a good hour. I have always loved walking. Maybe in a past life I walked as a Native American following my tribe all over God's earth. I find walking the perfect exercise. Well- NO- swimming is. However, walking is something I can easily do all the time, we all can. And it is free. Thank you Helen for talking to me and keeping me company on my walk. It makes the walk really enjoyable!

I make my grocery list while scanning the diabetic menu. The photos of stuffed bell peppers aren't making me say "yummy'. Though, "millet" (whatever that is) looks great...and it "has a corny nutty taste". Oh! NOW we are talking! I love corn and nuts!

All-in-all, as I walked with my grocery list, I felt overwhelmed with it all. I purchased the steel cut oats, and am soaking them in mason jars (which I also purchased today) so the oats can be quickly microwaved in the morning. Then fruit and honey added- to make it a bit less like mush.

(With the little lady whispering hush.)

If this is confusing, don’t you worry. Misery loves company. Though really, I am kidding about being miserable. It is the universe telling me to get my act together. It is TIME, to grow up- take responsibility for myself.

If one can not commit to oneself, how can one commit to another? Isn’t that the age old question?

Sit up and pay attention to your own self-care Luvs. 

Day one blog complete. Oh- the number was around 400. I think the range is 80-ish to 110. The TIME is now.

Be well sweet peeps. Love you! Be strong so we can all grow old/young together!