Pay Attention to Warning Signs

Although it’s easy to forget to pay attention to ourselves, not doing so can be a potential killer. Marie, a young woman whom I love, is a single mother with two little girls, one biological and one adopted from overseas. Betweena stressful fulltime job that includes the expense and worry of work-related travel and her deep love of and commitment to parenting the girls and supporting their differing emotional needs, Marie fell into the habit of sticking self-care on the back burner.

Even after months of insomnia and several anxiety attacks, Marie continued to put her own needs after those of her children and her work. Luckily, the intense chest pains and inability to breathe that eventually sent her to the Emergency Room were not a heart attack. Actually, the ER visit was a blessing, because Marie made the commitment to make herself a priority. And she has been true to her promise since then.

Excerpted from The Woman's Book of Mindfulness by Sue Patton Thoele. Available on Amazon.