This week I felt like I returned to myself.
I have been focusing on returning to a more consistent and devoted practice of self-care. Honestly, I am working on embodying the same advice I hope to offer my future patients. While it’s one thing to discuss the importance of self-care, it is a completely different thing to take the time to actually care for yourself. I have been intentional about finding the time to practice grounding meditation, sound healing, prayer, spending time outdoors and even making time to engage in activities that bring joy to my inner child. These experiences remind me that rest does not impede my ability to learn. Rather, it allows me to learn more deeply and to arrive at my studies with greater presence.
Conference Preparation
In addition, I am preparing for the upcoming Naturopathic Medicine Student Association (NMSA) Conference with the Cup Team (representing NUHS). We will compete in a trivia format tournament with other naturopathic medicine schools, responding to various questions that relate to our studies.
Although I’m a bit nervous, I feel very confident about our team. We have been meeting each week since the beginning of this trimester to review material and study together. Seeing everyone’s level of commitment has motivated me to participate in this event and compete with pride. As much as I want to stay ahead with my coursework prior to leaving, I also want to allow myself the opportunity to simply enjoy this experience. This will be my first conference as a student at NUHS, and I am aware that I will gain many new insights from attending the conference beyond the actual competition.
Beyond Studying
Outside of school, I appreciate the artists, healers and practitioners in my personal life who have created environments for us to have honest discussions regarding purpose, justice and the type of individuals we are developing to become through our work. We consistently reflect upon how we align ourselves within our individual crafts to develop a world that is slightly more just and compassionate than the one we were born into. These reflections help me see that healing extends far beyond the walls of the clinic. At times, healing begins by having open dialogue over dinner, creating art, walking or entering a space where you can freely express yourself without fear of judgment.
I’ve been reflecting on how critical it is to live out the knowledge I am gaining. When I provide recommendations to future patients based on my personal experiences, these concepts seem more valuable. It is easy to suggest to someone else that they should slow their pace, nourish themselves, meditate or spend time in nature. However, it is quite a bit more whole and intimate to understand what these practices have done for my own journey.
Life Happens
Through the oscillations of life, I trust that all things are unfolding as they are intended. I do not have all the answers, nor do I need all of them. My task today is to continue arriving with reverence for the life I have been gifted, love for those surrounding me and sufficient discipline to keep moving towards my goals. In doing so, I find that joy and peace are not awaiting me at some point in the future once all tasks have been completed. Instead, they are discovered in the everyday choices I make to cultivate self-love, remain grounded and move forward in building the life which I believe God is calling me to build.
