New Year Resolutions for Herbalists

Follow me this month while I try to clear out my own chaos and get a few tips on how to get your herb cabinet and/or business back in order! January is a perfect time for reflection and planning, but also, we have time for getting things done since the rush of garden season is still a few months away, the snow keeps us at home a bit more....as does the promise of a warm house and hot cup of tea. Each day, I am going to tackle something that needs constant care or attention, but that is often left to become dysfunctional as the year goes on. Will this be the year, I actually keep on top of things? Who knows...but if not, I will repost next year!

January 3 ~

Assessment 

So, after reflection on your herbal practice, how do you proceed?  Last year, I sort of did a "pre-assessment" and assumed I would be too stressed to do a good job. Turned out--- I was right. Much of the claims on my time are now gone, but some damage remains in the form of exhaustion (mental and physical), the total chaos of what once was a smoothly running business and teaching classes has its own rhythm that I need to reclaim. As stated in yesterday's post, I have a lot of ideas, but now I have to figure out which things to concentrate on in the short term and what to build toward. This past year, I have been sick more often than in the last 10 years combined. If a cold came by--I caught it...along with some bronchitis, a flu or two, finishing up menopause and a total lack of sleep, weight gain, back issues......But I am not the only one on my family who gets sick and so, usually, I would tend to them before helping myself (mistake #1), but lately, I have not been up to par caring for anyone else either. These things alone tell me to nurture all my new ideas, but to move ahead at  a steady pace, while regaining my health and footing.....and walk my talk.

It does not take any assessment skills to see my need to take things slow, but if I were to look at another practitioner who was experiencing similar issues, I might suggest several things to look at in planning their own course of action.

~ Quiet time daily is essential for healers--though we are the least likely to make time for it. For those working with plants, time with them in a non-medical mode should be made a priority. We constantly are using plants for something or other, but often have no time to just enjoy them. Ask yourself when the last time was you just sat with a plant and looked at it, smelled it...smiled at it---without your brain going over all it uses or the remedies you could make from it? If you are all business and no pleasure--slow down.

~ Do you still  have "fire in the belly" for your business--or for your students  or clients? I hope so--because they all deserve your best. If you don't, take a break and remember what first inspired your plant obsession. My first burst of interest was my grandfather making whistles out of elder stems and a fascination for all the lovely, odd names of flowers my grandma planted...Love Lies Bleeding, Johnny Jump Ups, Buttercups....oh, and the Skunk Cabbage my grandpa told me to avoid. I believe it is the inner child, informed by a solid education that allows us to be good healers.

~ How healthy have you been in the last several months? how healthy has your family been? 1-3 minor colds a year a fairly normal--especially if there are kids in the house, but long lasting colds that turn to bronchial or sinus problems, bouts of insomnia or poor sleep patterns, poor food choices, tiredness.......all of these need to be addressed just as you would for a client---and you need to be able to take your own advice!!

~ Do you question your own instincts and/or find it difficult to organize your thoughts into an easy to follow treatment plan? Instincts let us know we are functioning within the realm of nature--its use is essential to choosing appropriate herbs to grow, when to harvest, what any given person may need at any given time. Without them, we are just giving out a hit or miss herbal regimen---maybe effective by default, but not very artful.

~ Are you grateful and satisfied? Being happy and totally fulfilled is not required, but being thankful for what you have and the possibilities before you make you realistic and at peace....which is a valuable bit of behavior to be able to pass on to those who seek your help and are in the midst of pain, fear or confusion.

~ On a more practical side, look at your own and your family's health. Consider the inherited weaknesses we all deal with, those health that are self imposed by poor choices, your local environment, etc. and get yourselves back in shape.........Then, take on new projects or grow your business.

This month, for me and my family, is going to be about getting back on track.

"Physician, heal thy self".