The ‘Fill Me Up’ List
Fill me up with warm waves!!
“Accept yourself. Love yourself as you are. Your finest work, your best movements, your joy, peace, and healing comes when you love yourself. You give a great gift to the world when you do that. You give others permission to do the same: to love themselves. Revel in self-love. Roll in it. Bask in it as you would sunshine.” ~ Melodie Beattie.
Let’s get back to the wonderful and the worldly! After posting my last blog, a tide of relief rushed in. Thank you for all the love and positive comments. I was practically backstroking through all the support. It felt like hundreds of virtual hands lifting me up! I thank you deeply and will continue to send out my highest hopes that those words continue to reach others ready to free themselves from unhealthy situations…
Since then, I’ve been focused on finding my balance again. There was still so much work to do on Swell at that time and emails piling high in my Inbox, but I knew it was time to focus on feeling like myself again. We have little to give when we aren’t feeling whole and strong ourselves. So on the cabin wall, I taped over the ‘Swell To-Do list’ with a different sort of list…It read:
The ‘Fill Me Up’ List
- Go S-L-O-W, no rushing…
- Go surf!
- Meditate and do Yoga
- Take time to be truly Present
- Eat whole, Organic, sustainable food & drink coconuts!
- Dance outside
- Read
- Massage your feet
- Sleep outside
- Watch the sunrise/sunset/stars
- Do only what you feel like doing!
Bring your thoughts to the present to turn an average moment into magic…
Good friends, blazing sunset, my favorite board, peeling rights, and fresh air…filling up fast…
Coconuts unlimited!!!!
It worked wonders! In no time at all, I was feeling strong and blissful—soaring high like as a little coiled spring, just released. Maybe plunging deep into darkness, allowed me to heartily catapult back into the shiny world of Love and Light! As was said, we can only appreciate a smooth sea, for having traveled a stormy one.
So I’m happily back to a clean, humble, hard-working sea life. Restoring my foundation has helped me appreciate the sweet little things again. I wake up grateful for my simple freedom, the sea’s soothing embrace all around me, and the positive, loving people who recently appeared on my path. The sky is bluer, the rain is sweeter, and the wild waves call to me ever stronger…
No matter how busy, we MUST make time to do the things we love. Sacrifices often have to be made, but whenever possible, fill up your ‘me’ tank. Practicing loving-kindness to ourselves is a critical part of being ‘full’ enough to love, listen to, give, and support our brother and sister humans!
Fill me up with the riches of the heavens…starry nights getting lost in the Universe’s infinite grandeur… Photo by Bali Strickland
Epic solo salads under the stars…dancing to come… :)
Good morning sweet, glorious Mother Earth!
Nothing better to replenish the soul than an all girls camping trip to the top of the mountain!! Bring your own firewood and Waves for Water waterfilter for refilling the Mizu bottles!!
Fresh fruit smoothies with super greens and protein!
Fill me up with morning sunbeams on my head…
Thanks to a little self-love, everything is rolling right along again…:)
8 Comments
shawn latino
November 10, 2013Your blogs light my day sister..My past few months surfing took a hold…shoulder injury..sons senior year High school-soccer championships/college hopefuls(maybeUCSB)…videoing every game,living my youthful athleticism thru him…but its all over now…I can visualize myself once again walking down that cliff,feeling that rush of seeing,hearing,smelling the ocean unleash its power and letting me join the fray.Its been months that Ive dropped into a wave while seeing giant swells light up 2 oceans…but now the winter is here..and Hawaii,Caribbean and Oz are on my agenda.My flight schedule will be minimal as we plan our trips to coincide with the full moon and big storms. Healing an injury make you think,reflect and gather your dreams to open your eyes and wake up again…hope to see you somewhere ..eat those cocoanuts..and talk t the stars..I will say hi to Jackie and Hunter for ya during Thanksgiving…
auntie
November 10, 2013Oh how I love and admire you my Lizzy..your wisdom and love inspire me everyday
Thank you for being wonderful YOU
SailFarLiveFree
November 11, 2013“Take time to be truly present” – I love that one! I need to work on that myself, so thanks for making me accountable.
april
November 14, 2013hi Liz! I have been meaning to write since you posted your last blog and THANK YOU for sharing your incredible and powerful story. I am so grateful for your courage! I work at a US nonprofit in mental health research and I can’t tell you how meaningful it is, because this kind of frank honesty literally can save lives. Abusive relationships are victimizing so many people in today’s world, and it is so difficult to break the cycle. When people hear really personal words from others they respect, it truly can open their eyes and give them the strength they need to get out. There is no telling who your story has impacted in a positive way. Thank you!!!
It is great to hear that you are healing and doing well. A friend introduced me to your blog earlier this year and it is wonderful! Melodie Beattie is amazing…her book Codependent No More was lifechanging for me…I actually have sections underlined and I even keep it out to re-read parts occasionally to keep a conscious awareness of unhealthy relationship patterns I still struggle with. Also I loved Perfect Love Imperfect Relationships by John Welwood and Facing Love Addiction by Pia Mellody. And Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott. All great. I wish you godspeed on your healing journey!! ~April
Dave (Bayrider)
November 16, 2013That is a wise list and I share most of those with you. I’m currently working through ‘The Presence Process – A Journey Into Present Moment Awareness’ by Michael Brown. It’s a 10 week program starting with conscious breathing as a means to get in touch with the present, I suppose it’s very much like meditation. I have always tried to Be Here Now but am not always able to escape useless and pointless financial anxiety about the future, this regimen has been quite helpful at focusing on the energy and vitality available in each day.
You’re one amazing, unique and above all, courageous woman, living an extraordinary life. A lot of men are going to have a difficult time dealing with your strengths, that is their failing and a common one. It will take an extraordinary man to match your courage. I know a lot of accomplished and dynamic folks, but I don’t know any that have claimed their freedom to the extent you have. In this regard your rule number one is paramount, Patience.
Those meals are outstanding!
Captain lizzy
November 27, 2013Thanks Dave!!! Sounds like a neat program!! Patiently, Liz :) :) :)
wherethecoconutsgrow
December 3, 2013Beautiful post!! I love the idea of having a list of all the things that make you happy. Gorgeous photos, and of course we love the coconuts unlimited pic!! Thank you for all the inspiration :)
-Jody
Kevin Spencer
December 16, 2013You are amazing