If you want to be safe and well in this world – both physically and mentally – you have to be embodied.

Mr. Duffy lived a short distance from his body.

– James Joyce

My work as a psychologist often focuses on helping people reconnect with their inner experience. We’ve grown accustomed to disregarding the bothersome aspects of ourselves that “distract” from productivity and stir up emotional discomfort. This estrangement leads to injury, as we trade brief, present-moment attention for extensive later repair.

These three quotes provide guidance toward a healthy mind-body connection.

If you listen to your body when it whispers, you won’t have to hear it scream.

Your body will eventually hurt you to get your attention…for your own good.

I used to ignore the signals. I had VERY IMPORTANT things to do – the MO of many successful people. This is how minor issues turn into major injuries. At some point, I woke up and realized that an ounce of early care goes a long way.

Listen to your body. The quality of your communication matters.

– Natalie Geld

Communication is bidirectional, so when you start attending to whispers, remember to respond.

For decades, I sat still in mediation. The whole point is to be with what is, right? Now, if something hurts, I mindfully move. Because why in the world should anyone sit in pain that can be easily corrected? Nobody needs to generate pain for practice.

In training, you listen to your body. In competition, you tell your body to shut up.

– Rich Froning Jr.

As you refine your internal communication, wisdom is knowing when to respond.

There are times when it serves you to listen but put your response on hold. My gut grinds when I do scary things, but doing scary things is how I grow. So, as they say, I “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway.”