Where did all the pain go?

 I woke up this morning wondering just where DID all the pain go? When I sit, my lower left back doesn't hurt anymore and when I stand, those little muscles just below my hamstrings and above my calves that usually need time to wake up in the morning, weren't hurting either. My headaches have been gone for some time now, my stomach isn't bloated anymore, my sinuses are a lot less stuffed up and I actually feel awake when my alarm goes off.

But still, what happened to the pain? It had become such a constant in my life that I hadn't even paid it much mind.

A few months ago, I got a massage from a great student at a school in Arizona called Southwest School of Healing Arts. They are cheap and this person was especially amazing at massage.  During the massage I was continually told to breathe. At times my breath would speed up so much because the points that were being worked really hurt. He told me to breathe slowly anyway and to notice the pain.

I think that was really the turning point for actually realizing I had pain my body. For so long, I just ignored it because I had "other" and "better" things to do with my time than figure out what was going on.

His greatest lesson was yet to come. Near the end of the hour, I began breathing a little fast again and he mentioned to slow it down. After I did, he went on to explain that part of noticing the pain is simply just listening to the body. My body was talking to me and it was time for me to really listen.

This message has stuck with me. While I'd heard it numerous times from my mom, sometimes those messages go in one ear and out the other. She's brillant, truly, but ya know...she's still my mom:-)

So, the journey from pain to a loose, free body has been a ride. The up's and down's have been intense.  I have eliminated all foods from my diet that no longer serve me (and it's different for everyone). These include mostly cooked foods and anything that is not vegan. I am playing around with introducing crill or some other kind of fish oil back into my diet and will keep you posted. Right now, though, I feel great. My body feels nourished and I eat less than ever before because I have so many nutrients to support me.  My main intakes are superfoods, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds & some grains.

Cups o' holiday cheer to you and yours!