#12 When the world is telling you to be tender
with you!!
Hi, hi my friends.
This is going to be oh so short because, like so many people this year, our family spent the past 10 days with a stubborn virus. We’re coming out of it, spring is coming, and I’m more grateful than ever to be able to sit at my favorite coffee spot, look at all the dogs, and write you a little note.
Today is the first day I feel well enough to move my body and rather than my typical inner voice that’s urging me to go lift some weights and get a brisk walk in, I’m listening to the softer voice today that’s telling me to go lie over a bolster, put my hands on my belly, and feel my breath moving in and out.
In short, the world is telling me to be tender, more tender than I typically remember to be.
Somehow telling myself to be tender lands more easily than telling myself to “rest.” The word rest (even though I am the premium napper in the family), conjures instant inner resistance. Whereas “being tender” feels radical, rebellious, and luxurious.
How does this little phrase land for you? Are you in need of a little more tenderness? Or are you feeling fired up and ready to tackle a big to-do list?
PS: Don’t miss this week’s podcast with Office Yoga founder, Maryam Sharifzadeh. It is so inspiring and has been a real reframe for me in terms of how to approach yoga and mindfulness in the workplace. I appreciate the trial and error she has done for 10 years to help us figure out how to bring simple but potent practices to a wider audience.
I am glad that you are feeling better. I had a serious migrane a couple of weeks ago and it forced me to retreat to my bedroom. I spent the entire day in the dark and simply laid there. At first, it was the hardest thing to do. I don't "rest" well, and I was supposed to be leaving the following day for a week. I had no choice, but to listen to my body and stop. I love the word "tender" because it has less guilt and judgement around it. Tending to my body and listening has been coming up more and more. I think that my age and life's cirumstances are trying to talk to me. Thank you for the reminder!
I'd never thought of it this way, but I will now! I have no problem taking time for a nap in the middle of the day, but it's usually necessary since I'm pushing so hard the rest of the time. I could take a page from your book for sure and reimagine that a little. Still recovering from my bout with the virus as well, glad you're feeling better!