Caring for 7 aspects epilogue

Emotional 𖤓Social 𖤉Intellectual 𖧼Physical 𖧽Occupational 𖨆 Spiritual 𖧏Environmental 𖧨

When I found the 7 aspects a decade ago, I knew in a moment it was a simple/brilliant way to learn, and to teach self-care. Until then I thought of self-care as visits to massage therapist, chiropractor, and acupuncturist, which I scheduled regularly. I hadn't thought of cleaning my car as self-care.

As I read more about the 7 dimensions I had to admit I was really good at two of them, pretty good at a third (physical and intellectual, with a bend toward spiritual), but mediocre at consistently feeding the other four aspects.  Left to my own devices, the hermit in me can create tension in my relationships (social), and my car, basement and garage, as well as a few drawers and closets upstairs could use some purging (environmental). When I spoke to others, they were good at just about 3 different aspects. I am working to become a more authentic me by defining and feeding all 7 dimensions. I try to think of them as invisible facets (like the sides of a crystal) that count on me to polish and keep them shiny for maximum well-being and clarity

The following 7 Aspects offered by Dr. Hetler (which I think of as Ways to Love You First!) are one of three foundational beliefs of the Seeker's Guide. In all my coaching, the first question I ask is, "Are you sleeping?" If the coachee isn't sleeping, that's where we start. Living authentically requires us to be well cared for. If we don't care lovingly for ourselves, who will?

While you seek, feed all 7 aspects because seeking is tedious. And filling yourself up is the remedy. If you don't love all of your life, remember it took you some time to get to where you are. It will take you some time to unravel a lifetime of habits (not as easy to break as you'd like), even when you are smart and really trying.

If you are stalled in your seeking, practice a dimension that is undernourished or neglected. 

It's probably more realistic to use week-long rather daily increments when you assess your balance. Single days can be too short to feed all 7. However, on a day I felt like I had touched all 7 ways in one 8-hour period, I wrote this . . . 

It's a whole body celebration, even her hair follicles beam in the evening light. She began at sunrise with a cup of fresh ground coffee, berries topping her favorite chia pudding and a Google search for the answers to life's questions. On the sun-filled upper deck she talked on the phone with forgiveness and compassion for the parent who calls too much, wants too much and struggles with life; and then connected at a distance with the child who seeks counsel, creates her destiny. They laughed. She arranged a jamboree of information on the page with care and style in the comfort of her well-organized, south-facing office; added a coat of off-white paint to the cabinet that will grace the remodeled upstairs bathroom. She unwound along the river, matched tempo with the black and yellow bumble bees, inhaled their favorite nectar; stopped to look upward at the dignified flight of the heron, the erratic chase of the hawk. Now, on the flower-filled low deck, hand effortless on the page, she waxes poetic beneath her glowing scalp.