Self Care...Self What??

Self Care : noun - The care of oneself without medical, professional, or other assistance or oversight.

When I went to look for a definiftion of self care, I thought it would be realitively simple but what I found was moreso than I had expected.  How is it that something so basic to define is the great deficiency by which so many of us (especially Moms) suffer?

Here are 5 easy ways to integrate some good 'ol self care into our busy lives and keep growing to be the people we want to be.

Heart in a box

A couple months ago I took an herbal supplement from my Naturopath, based in an alcohol tincture.  Wasn't a crazy idea at the time because I had taken similar ones she gave me before - no prob.  This time though, my body reacted and the last 8 weeks I have had cravings like never before in my recovery.


Life is busy, bills are due, daycare situation a mess (AGAIN! UGH!) House is messy... Laundry, what can a Mom say about laundry...  And SLAM! More life has to happen, and other people have to show their character defects, and hurt my heart.  I mean like I feel squished and kind of broken hearted....

All of a sudden, the Bloody Mary's at the table over in Elmer's that looked really yummy piles on top of my eyes catching every Bar signage I pass. 

Hate this song

So I am not a big fan of venting in blogs (but maybe now I have one it'll change), but I keep hearing this song that seriously just makes me MAD.  I know I shouldn't "HATE" things, but this - I HATE.  (Not at all surprising that there are no women's names taking credit for writing it.)

The song is "We are Young".  It is a great and horrible example of what our American Culture promotes as okay behavior.  I mean, seriously!! Why is it "cool" to have a song talking about an ex-girlfriend you hit or something to have given her a scar, gave crappy excuses to apologize, and now offer, if she is so drunk so can't stand up when the bar closes that you will take her home to "set the world on fire"

GIVE ME A BREAK!!

Will you?

This week I went to a meeting chaired by a person introduced to AA in a country in South America.  They said they used to think AA was a special club that people could go drink whatever they wanted and no one would know because "they were anonymous".  Everyone chuckled at that. They didn't have DUI's in this country, someone would just come knock on the door.  One day, someone came and knocked on their door. 

Despite the rief moment of humor that I found, and so often find in the rooms, I heard a bigger message in this.

There is hope...

Really, what in this life is important?  I guess my answer would depend on the day I am asked.  Today, what is important to me is the time I have spent with my family.  Shouldn't that be what's important everyday?  Today I cared less about the world outside my home, and more about taking time to cook with my 7 year old.  I took an extra minute admiring my 13 month old after he fell asleep and took pictures of his face and hands.  I spent time today thinking about the Al-anon "Just for Today" bookmark.  (One of the best printed resources ever written).

At church today they talked about what the literal meaning of the word "saint" and "holy". These two words are from the same root, meaning "set apart".  It just means different. It got me thinking.

I am different from many, but in my recovery it's a fine line to feel different but not uniqiue.  I am, in my nature, so self-centered that I can make the two words synonymous, when they are worlds apart.  I have learned in my addiction, I am not unique. 

Is this a good idea?

Hello World

I don’t think I realized I had so much I wanted to share with the world until the idea of starting a blog entered the picture. My brain has been racing about what I would hope to know enough about to blog and, and in the end, the answer is My Life. I heard a message in my head saying “Nicole’s Voice” It seems so simple it's silly.  I only have one. It’s mine. I’m going to use it.   I want to share what I've so freely been given with those who would like to hear it.  I want a medium of creativity that I can embrace who I am growing to be. A HUGE part of this process is really looking at myself and questioning who I am. Who am I? Who am I really?