I bought a beautiful white orchid for the caravan about six weeks ago. I remember reading somewhere that orchids didn’t need watering very much and that overwatering was bad for them. So, taking this to extremes, or maybe I had just forgotten, I hadn’t watered it since. I noticed yesterday that the flowers were all wilting and it had lost its shine. I poured some water into the pot.
This morning, the transformation is unbelievable. The flowers are all perky and back to their former glory. All it took was one small cup of water to restore the flowers majesty. I’m struck by how similar my body is.
When I take care of it by eating well, getting enough sleep, not having sweets and fizzy drinks and of course exercising then my body and mind blossom, I feel healthy, fit, optimistic and able to tackle anything.
Conversely, the weeks when I’m stressed or do too much work have a knock-on effect, causing me to eat and drink badly, miss my exercise sessions and generally stop taking care of myself. Like the wilting orchid, the change is dramatic and immediately noticeable in my skin, my eyes, my mood and my general wellbeing.
Are you guilty of this too? Is it work or something else that gets in the way? It is so easy to let all your daily commitments crowd in on your personal time, stopping you from taking care of yourself.
Pampering yourself sounds like a luxury, but I don’t think so. I believe making time for yourself, and your needs are critical to achieving the things you want in your life. If you don’t service your car, first it drives badly and, in the end, it stops working. Your body and mind are the same.
So, today and every day, be clear about the parts of your daily routines that nourish and rejuvenate you. Don’t let anything get in the way of you doing them. Fight for them, mark them out as important, stop letting other things crowd them out.
Keeping your body and mind fit, healthy and strong allows it to deliver the goals and dreams you have. Make a daily commitment to yourself. Long before others believe, you must believe it’s possible.
Remember, we climb the mountain, not in giant leaps but one small step at a time.
Hi Luke
Your blog is so true. If I eat rubbish, then I feel rubbish. If I don’t exercise for a while, then I feel tired and sluggish. Even though I’m now retired I sometimes have too many demands on my time and I have to learn to pace myself, learn to say ‘no’ sometimes and also learn to walk away from the things that aren’t good for me.
I have just been given an orchid as a gift, my first two orchids haven’t done so well, so maybe a third time.
PS: I am grateful for your story of your card scams and am sorry it happened. Your blog has given me some valuable lessons as I do most of my shopping online.
Enjoy your day. Claire
Thanks Claire for your lovely comment. I know how hard it is to say no. I battle with it all the time and always regret it when I try to do too much. Hope you are third time lucky with the orchid!
Best Wishes
Luke x
Great blog Luke! It’s so true!
Thanks Julie x
Hey Luke.
Thank you for the inspiring post.
I’m the same. Unfortunately I’ve fallen into a rut though. My son was poorly so I didn’t have time to look after myself and then I got poorly so I didn’t have the energy. I’m currently trying to get back on track. Drinking lots of water, attempting to catch up on sleep which, in honesty, isn’t going well so far. Also trying to start eating healthy again so making myself a prawn stir fry tonight which I’m looking forward to. Also thinking maybe a nice pamper session tomorrow whilst my son is at school.
Btw, I also have an orchid. A pink one my other half bought me. The flowers started to die and drop off, I panicked thinking I had killed it by over watering or maybe not placing it in enough sunlight. Thankfully I had a think, moved it to a different window, watered it less often and they grew back. Now there’s even more flowers blooming big and more beautiful than ever.
With a bit of love, attention and care. We can make ourselves bloom too.
Hi Sara
I’m glad to hear you have saved your orchid. I’m at the RHS Malvern Flower show at the moment, I have the utmost respect for all the green-fingered amongst us. I just look at a plant and it keels over! I hope you are finding the strength to get back on track. I know how hard it is. My thoughts are with you.
Best Wishes
Luke x
Once an orchid flower has wilted it will never ever recover! You might save the leaves but never the flower. Therefore the rest of the analogy about the body doesn’t really work.
Hi Hilary
I guess that I have been very lucky then.
Best Wishes
Luke x
I love these blogs they are really inspiring !
Thanks Maxine, best wishes Luke x
Very good blog.
Makes you think really.
Thanks Lindaay,
Best Wishes
Luke x