Learning To Live With Intent Towards Myself (aka: learning to love myself)

I plan to own my own life in 2015 and beyond, by learning to live with intent towards myself. Years ago I began to learn to live with intent towards others. Intentionally loving others, intentionally serving others, intentionally caring for others. But along the way I began to believe the lie that to live with intent towards others was enough. It was not. In the process, I forgot to love me, care for me, enjoy me. I neglected myself. I'm not talking about self-centered living. I'm talking about basic self care. Making sure I ate and ate healthy. Making sure I got enough sleep, exercise, took my medication, etc.... 

I have even come to realize that I have neglected myself by neglecting time with God. I felt guilty about ignoring Him, I didn't want to ignore Him, I love Him. But somehow it felt like self indulgance to take time for study and prayer that were not part of parenting. So in reality, neglecting Him, was also another way of neglecting myself. I denied myself the gift of spending time with my Heavenly Father. Of the peace, joy, strength, grace, patience, faith, that comes with having spent time in His presence.

I know I'm not alone. It's often a mom thing. We must learn to live with balance. My life has been out of balance and as I get older the effects of self neglect become more pronounced. So, I realize that I must begin to live with intent towards myself, the same way I live with intent towards those I love and care about.

Part of this journey towards living with intention towards myself is my journey to take control of my health as I wrote about recently. It's also actively pursuing God's call on my life, making time for me without guilt, resting when my body says rest, without guilt or condmnation, accepting my limitations, embracing my gifts, loving what is lovable about me and having grace as I change what isn't so lovable. Learn to be more objective about what isn't lovable.

It's not enough to do good things for myself because they are good for my family, I must also do them because they are important and good for me.

Blessings,
Colleen

Thyroid Disease and the Estrogen/Progesterone Connection

Vitally Important Information for anyone dealing with thyroid disease. 

With all the estrogen in our foods, and soy, which produces estrogen in our bodies, in everything we eat, Estrogen Dominance is a real problem and even more so if you are dealing with Thyroid Disease. 

When I found out about the link between Thyroid Disease and Estrogen Dominance, it was the missing puzzle piece of my life! Unfortunately I could not find a Dr to help me treat it as most Drs are of the mindset that if you have Hypothyroid or Hashimoto's just throw some synthroid at it and do a blood test every so often. I urge you to read this if you are dealing with thyroid disease or think you might be.

I know it is very frustrating when your Dr doesn't understand or won't listen. I want to encourage you not to give up! I wish I hadn't. I gave up years ago when no one would listen and I've lost years of my life to this disease. I urge you to continue to research and push for a Dr who will listen. It won't go away and it won't get better on it's own. When no one else cares enough to look out for your health, you simply must!!

There's no point in reinventing the wheel so I will just post the link to this post. 

Hypothyroid Mom Hormonal Connection

Be Blessed, 

Colleen

P.S. Been dealing with seasonal illnesses in our home, will be back any day now.