The Healer Within

I’ll admit it. When I saw today’s #reverb10 prompt on Healing, I may have rolled my eyes just a little bit. (The prompt: Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011?) When I started #reverb10, I was a little concerned it would be a little too new agey, touchy feely. Some of the prompts can certainly be interpreted as such, but this is the first one that merited an eye roll.

How have I been healed this year? That would imply I was sick or needed healing!

But once that train of thought cleared the station, I realized that I have indeed done a lot of healing this year. I look at where I was a year ago compared to where I am now, and I marvel at how my life has done a 150 or 160 or so. And along the way, I have healed some of the old bruises and mindsets that were holding me back.

In fact, I started running as my relationship fell apart, in those odd few months between calling off the wedding and actually breaking up. Running was – and still is – so therapeutic, a chance to clear my head and get away from distraction. Running lets me process everything happening in my life, even if I’m not actively thinking about whatever’s troubling me. I come back from runs with a very peaceful, satisfied feeling that helps fuel the rest of my day and week.

I also finally admitted that I need more sleep than I did when I was in college, so I push myself to bed earlier. (Lately, that push is more like a gentle nudge – I’ve adapted to the increased sleep, and don’t need to be reminded of the benefits.)

In general, I’m taking much better care of myself than a year ago, eating better, exercising better, sleeping better. And as a result, what could have been a very tough, very terrible year has gone fantastically well and is ending on a high note.

So while I may not have gone to a healer – heck, I barely go to the doctor except for routine checkups – I’ve found ways to heal myself and proactively prevent further damage.

If that’s what healing means, I’ll take it.

This post is part of #Reverb10, a month-long project to reflect on the year nearly gone. Read all my #Reverb10 posts, or learn more.