My car has a gauge that indicates it’s low on gas. Should I miss that initial sign, a red light emits as things look dire. When the car is due for service, my car flashes an alert, which must be manually acknowledged. As added measures, it warns me with proximity alarms or even of an imminent crash. I appreciate all these things. It makes me feel incredibly connected to the wellbeing of my car.
Having just come out of a surgery that I did not know that I needed until a month ago, my body, unlike my car, is silent. Or I have not learned the language that it speaks. Or worse, I may not have been listening.
“Oh, it’s like that?”
Even if it’s a minor surgery for a common condition, the piece of paper that you must sign before general anesthesia, which states the possible risks, lists the last one as “DEATH,” in all caps.
Reading that, I became acutely aware, for the very first time. I was now listening! If only my body would flash something like my car does:
” Make an appointment with your doctor. You are not sleeping well. The problem is not related to your age or gender but something else entirely. Acknowledge this message, or we will sever access to the taste buds that appreciate chocolate.” ~ Roopal’s Body
That would have been immensely helpful.
We’ve all seen, heard, and even felt other’s people’s pain when they go through medical ailments. But when it happens to you, everything crystallizes into the present moment. And you’re forever changed because of it.
When my dog ran away, I decided I needed a will. (Don’t bother interpreting my mental pole vaults.) This time, I’ve decided that I need to sharpen my awareness!
The Awareness Conundrum
Most people go through life in one of 4 lanes:
- I don’t need any awareness tools.
- I have got them, but I didn’t realize they need sharpening.
- I am super busy. I don’t have time to be “aware.”
- What awareness tools?
Thankfully, most people can recognize the body basics such as when they are hungry, thirsty, or tired. Under the veil of preventative upkeep, others cleave to necessities such as annual doctors’ appointments, an exercise regiment, and or even follow generic “eating right,” recommendations.
But further to that, we must all become experts in our wellbeing. We must learn to understand the metrics, warnings, and signals that our bodies emanate.
Awareness is a gift that we all receive. Sometimes we receive it every day or every night. First, we must listen for it. I find that those gnawing feelings of “I need to do something about this,” which last a microsecond and then are fleeting, are the ones that you need to heed.
But avoid the trap of processing those “signals,” like mathematicians factoring in complex formulas of age, gender, medical and family history, to extrapolate a false diagnosis. Avoid researching every possible ailment to drive yourself insane.
Always, use information in moderation but use awareness in bulk. Listen, document as necessary, and consult an expert. After all, even when my car knows it’s completely out of gas, it advises the closest place to refuel! It’s a fair bet that your body is talking to you in some way, the question is… are you listening?
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