DIVI9 CHAT

{ DIVI9 }{ DIVI9 CHAT } AN ACCUMULATION OF THOUGHTS

BY RAQUEL WALKER

In a talk I listened to recently, Sadhguru asked the question: how do we grow? There was a quiet contemplation before he said we eat and therefore we are an accumulation of food, and therefore an accumulation of earth. We are also an accumulation of experiences. I thought about this for a while. In fact it has been days, maybe weeks now since viewing that video and the image has burned its way into my mind. Truly it brings a certain tangibility to the common phrase “you are what you eat”. Who we are is the accumulation of our consumption.

AN ACCUMULATION OF THOUGHTS

As creative beings we have the power to shape and reshape our perspectives and our realities. One thing I am, as most are, is an accumulation of thoughts. When I first began offering services for lymphatic drainage one of my thoughts was, “how do I, as a woman who has never experienced this procedure herself, provide this service?” Would surgery make me more credible and valid to my clients, would it add perspective to my business? As I continue to progress what I have come to realize is that my knowledge, compassion and experience places me squarely in the midst of the tensions of two sides of an argument in which my own experience as a mature woman, mother of two and growing entrepreneur provides a qualified and unique perspective. I am an accumulation of a set of experiences that like all women will never be identical to another and need not be to be relevant. In the book “A Radical Awakening” Dr. Shefali writes “we have been brainwashed with the idea that our existence can only be fulfilled by fitting an impossible standard of goodness and beauty, which for many of us, happens to be perfection.” She continues with the clarifying statement; this “basically means feeling the pressure to be more of what you aren’t” If you can relate, please know, you are not alone! Continue to question the thoughts you have accumulated and trust the process of whatever path you have chosen.

AN ACCUMULATION OF MOTIVATION

“I have never been one to workout. When I needed to lose weight I mainly diet. However I do use exercises I have learned to help me to maintain along the way.”

“Working out wasn’t working for me, I was discouraged, I wanted to change, I wanted to do this for myself. I have lived my life, raised my kids, it’s time I live for me.”

“I am working with a trainer, I’m not where I want to be and a part of me knows I won’t look exactly the way I see in my head”

“It’s hard for me to stay consistent, especially when I have to go to the gym alone when people flake. I wish I could love my body more.”

I specifically did not make a distinction with the comments that are from post op versus non post op clients As I selected my samples I realized how much they sound alike from the perspective of change, the reclamation of self, overcoming physical and mental barriers and most importantly the prioritization of self.

AN ACCUMULATION OF LOVE

Client: They say that women who get surgery don’t love themselves, if we did, we wouldn’t change anything. This statement highlights the central theme of self love that permeates our social conditioning and deeply affects predominantly women on both sides of the conversation. Regardless of the journey you are on, the best thing you can invest in is yourself.

This investment may come in the form of meal prep services, trainers, massage therapist, talk therapy, aesthetic surgeons or dieticians. Seek out trained professionals. Yes, there are many self taught individuals who have supported great results for themselves and others, however, a trained professional is required to not only test their knowledge, but grow in knowledge. They also have access to associations, networks and regulations to which they must adhere. Love yourself enough to seek qualified support in attaining your goals.

An accumulation of perspectives Here’s a practice that I find impactful. Have a friend or family member with whom you are deeply connected write you a list of the qualities and traits that they find most attractive and beautiful about you. Read their

“There was a quiet contemplation before he said we eat and therefore we are an accumulation of food, and therefore an accumulation of earth.”

list aloud repeating each quality three times. As you repeat each of the qualities, dispel any feelings of doubt or disbelief you might have and accept that this beauty is true and radiates from you.

Our bodies are ours to care for and maintain, however much of the work begins in our minds. Being mindful of the perspectives we accept. Being aware of the perspectives we attach meaning to, as they shape not only our minds, they shape our bodies.

MORE ACCUMULATION

Most clients wish that they had more information. My post op clients work to accumulate a ton of information about the surgery process and yet feel under-prepared for the reality of the healing process. Lymphatic treatments are a piece of the puzzle my clients find most beneficial. As the series of treatments progress, clients physically feel better, walking more upright and experiencing less pain and inflammation. They also calmly step into a deeper sense of self awareness as they observe and report on the daily changes experienced within the body and mind. Making the key connection that the focus of the mind greatly amplifies the healing process. This is the magic of the process that anchors me to my purpose as a healer.