Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
What does it mean to Defend Your Land? Well, I came up with this concept from a motto the Cleveland Cavaliers used this year, “Defend The Land”. Defend Your Land is about you. It’s about me. I’ve learned through trials and tribulations how important it is to take care of you. As women and men, many of us have a lot of responsibilities and seem to put everything else ahead of our needs. Over the years, I’ve become very tired and thought it was as a result of becoming older, working hard and raising a teenager. One day I noticed that I was often taking naps, having restless nights, suffering from hair loss and was always irritable. I couldn’t stand loud noises and everything and everyone was getting on my nerves. I continued ignoring my behavior and went on with my regular routine. I even ignored the chest pains I was having and the pain radiating down my arm, thinking to myself; this is not a heart attack. Shortly afterwards, I fell in a store and I didn’t trip over anything! I mean, I hit the floor hard and severely damaged my knee. I honestly don’t remember blacking out but must have for a spilt few seconds and when I came too, the experience alone made me say, “Okay I need to go to the doctor because something is obviously wrong with me”. I made an appointment with the Doctor who examined me, performed an EKG and said there were no signs of heart issues. The very next day, the Doctor called to check on me and asked if the chest pains had subsided. I said no and was instructed to come back for immediately for another EKG. After the second EKG, I was admitted into to the hospital to run some tests. I was uncomfortably poked and many tests were performed to later discover that I have a thyroid problem. To my surprise, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid. One that doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. This is what caused my chest pains and I soon discovered that I was experiencing symptoms of Hypothyroidism, like: fatigue, being cold, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, weight gain, mood swings, and being lethargic. I was educated on what was happening and how the thyroid is a vital and important gland. I learned that it controls metabolism, growth in the body and regulate other body functions. It’s a vital organ because it releases hormones into the bloodstream.
After becoming aware of what was happening to me, I became familiar with a new word called Chakra. Chakra translates to “wheel” with its function as a vortex of spinning energy interacting with various physiological and neurological systems in the body. Chakras are energy centers within the human body that help to regulate all its processes, from organ function to the immune system and emotions. There are seven Chakras positioned throughout your body, from the base of your spine to the crown of your head.
The fifth Chakra is called Vishuddhameaning purification. It is the center of communication, self-expression, decision-making, and listening. The fifth Chakra is in charge of your thyroid gland and the color associated with this Chakra, is blue. It is understood that having and underactive thyroid creates difficulty in expressing a person’s views. Underactive thyroid individuals are timid, hard to stand up, forgetful and whispering. This Chakra is about inner truth and who you really are.
As I began to understand and learn more about my condition, I realized an immediate need to take care of myself. It was time to become serious about practicing to practice self-care. It was time to learn how to take care of me if I become ill. It may sound discouraging but this is my truth and furthermore, became my reality when no one came to visit me during my time in the hospital. I was grateful at the same time because someone was taking care of my son who couldn’t be there with me. What I was mostly feeling during this time, was loneliness. I couldn’t help but wonder if I had a hereditary heart condition that would require me to have surgery. Fear and anxiety kicked in but when I think back, there were people taking care of me, waiting on me, cooking for me, making up my bed for and it was a great feeling. One that allowed me to see that I haven’t been treating myself as God sees me. It was at this time that I decided it was time for me to Defend My Land. My Land being my health and my love for me. I am making changes by saying “No” when I need to instead of saying “Yes” to everything. I’m spending more time with God, taking my medicine and learning how to take more time for myself, and learning how to express myself well by communicating my truth effortlessly. I want to leave you with this: It is so important to take care of you so that you can continue living the life of your dreams. This is the time to stand/walk in your purpose and position that God has given you.
God says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:13-14and also created in His image and in His likeness Genesis 1:27.Believe that and Life Your Best Life!