Multiple Conversations

It's Ok to be alone.

But, I'm never really alone. I have my spirit, my body, my mind. They all talk at once and I'm never truly silent inside.

My body tells me to get moving, stay active.

Get more exercise, for crying out loud, and more of it... I don't like exercise. I like hiking up steep mountains, cleaning the house, riding my bike, salsa dancing. Sometimes I run, because it clears my head.

My body also lectures me for not drinking enough water.

It's Colorado, the high desert....I should drink more water than I do. I don't drink much soda, but I do drink wine. Water is tasty, especially with lemon, but it doesn't give me a buzz.

And while my body is busy speaking about the inportance of hydration, my mind steps in and demands the floor.

You're crazy, a lunatic..... I don't want to believe my mind, but she's so loud she often overtakes my body. My body tries to speak and my mind shuts her out. My mind makes me anxious and stressed. I think too much. I overanalyze. I really just want to have fun.

And this is where my spirit raises her gentle, soft voice.

You know, it's important to see the brighter side of life.... My spirit reminds me that I am happy. She tells me that stress is a state of mind. My mind wants to kick her ass after this one.

My spirit stays strong despite intimidation by reason.

Reason and common-sense are not all encompassing..... my spirit reminds me. Go with your instincts, throw your guilt away. Laugh. Go ahead, drink lots of wine, skip, plant herbs, spend a Friday night alone with ice cream and bath salts. Being alone is OK.

My poor body, she always gets pushed to the back burner.

What about the cigarettes you've been craving? Don't give in, you can't.... I wonder if my mind has any influence over this statement. My body wants to be fit again, she wants to look good in a bikini when she goes to the beach this summer. My body wants to take week long backpacking trips. My body wants a massage to celebrate the first year of grad school. My body wants me to take another yoga class.

My mind reminds me of all the stuff I have to do. My body rebels and decides to make my shoulders hurt. My spirit deflates and inflates like a balloon.

Who do I listen to?