When did we stop listening?!?

In my first blog post I shared that health isn't perfection.

It's paying attention.

I've found myself thinking about that sentence ever since I wrote it. I believe it's true—but it's also incredibly countercultural.

We're often taught to push through discomfort, ignore our body's signals, and keep going. We celebrate productivity more than presence.

But what if paying attention really is the beginning of health?

What if our bodies have been communicating with us all along, and we've simply forgotten how to listen?

A few weeks ago, I decided to take a break from my workout routine while I worked through some health challenges. I wanted to give my body time to rest.

After several weeks, I noticed something interesting. My hips—which are usually tight—had become really tight. At the same time, I kept daydreaming about going for a walk.

Every time the thought came, I had a reason not to.

"It's too hot outside."

"I don't have the energy."

"I'll do it tomorrow."

But the tightness didn't go away.

Finally, this week I laced up my sneakers and went for a walk.

When I got home, my hips felt noticeably looser.

It hit me that the tightness, the discomfort, and even those recurring thoughts about walking were all part of my body trying to communicate with me.

It wasn't working against me.

It was working for me.

That was just one of many moments where I've realized my body often knows what it needs before my mind catches up.

Last month I shared that I believe health is creating and maintaining peace in our mind, body, soul, and spirit. It's learning to listen to and care for each of these parts of ourselves with intention and compassion.

So I've been asking myself...

What exactly are we paying attention to?

If our mind, body, soul, and spirit are constantly communicating with us, then why aren't we listening?

I wonder if children naturally listen because they haven't yet learned to ignore themselves.

Somewhere along the way, life gets louder.

Responsibilities increase.

Expectations pile up.

We learn to push through.

We learn what's "acceptable."

We reach for quick fixes.

And little by little, we stop listening.

Maybe that's why learning to care for ourselves doesn't always require discovering something new.

Sometimes it simply requires remembering what we've forgotten.

I believe God designed our bodies with incredible wisdom. Learning to listen isn't about becoming self-focused; it's about becoming better stewards of the life He's entrusted to us.

Notice in my story, deep down I knew what I needed. I simply talked myself out of it.

That brings me back to something I shared last month:

No one knows your body better than you.

So this week, I'd like to invite you to pause the next time you notice recurring fatigue, a headache that keeps coming back, stomach discomfort or gas after a particular meal, tension in your shoulders, or even a longing to get outside.

Before reaching for a quick fix, gently ask yourself:

"What do I need right now?"

"Body... what are you trying to tell me?"

You may be surprised by the answer.

🌿 Soul Prosper Practice

Three times this week, take one minute to pause.

Take a slow breath.

Then simply notice.

What is your body saying?

What is your mind carrying?

What is your soul longing for?

What does your spirit need?

No pressure.

No judgment.

Just curiosity.

Sometimes the first step toward healing isn't finding the answer.

It's creating enough quiet to hear it.

Thank you for taking a few moments to slow down with me. I'm grateful you're here!

If today's reflection stirred something in you and you'd like someone to walk alongside you as you learn to listen more deeply to your mind, body, soul, and spirit, I'd be honored to connect with you.

I offer complimentary, no-pressure consultations simply to get to know one another and explore whether coaching might be a good fit.

Whether we ever work together or not, my hope is that you'll continue making space to listen. You may be surprised by what you've known all along. Also if you know anyone who would appreciate reading this, feel free to share this blog with them.