Apple made headline news again this week. Many people who plunked down $1k+ for the ‘latest and greatest’ iPhone have been understandably upset that their new device has not been charging when plugged into a power supply. Apparently there is a software or hardware bug that is preventing the phones from charging properly. We have come to expect charging problems from our older-model phones that have been dropped, cracked, used and abused. It is another thing entirely when you are unable to use the newest member of your technology family because it is already acting up.
“Charging” is a big topic in my home. “Where is my charger?”...”My charger isn’t working!”...”My phone doesn’t have enough charge!”....”I need a new charger.” If you’ve been to an airport or a Starbucks recently, you have witnessed the masses vying for an available outlet in order to charge up their devices. During a recent trip, while I was waiting in the airport for a connecting flight, a woman stood right next to me (and my charging iPad) waiting/stalking until I was ready to relinquish the coveted spot next to the wall outlet. You probably have had a similar “charging” experience.
It used to be that when you heard the phrase “know your ABC’s”, it meant learning the 26 letters of the alphabet. Nowadays, its a reminder that you should “always be charging”...meaning that you need to keep your devices charged up at all times so, in the event of an emergency, your iPhone battery is topped off just like your car’s gas tank.
I think that when it comes to our health, it is also extremely important to “always be charging.”
Ask yourself these questions:
Do I get enough rest?
Am I eating energy-boosting foods?
What have I done lately to recharge my batteries?
I recently spent several hours at an area spa with a very dear friend. We both marveled at how just a few hours away from our buzzing phones, long to-do lists, and booked calendars were “just what the doctor ordered.” The yoga class that we participated in helped to relax our muscles, the sauna and steam rooms pushed the toxins out of our bodies, and the healthy spa lunch gave us energy and inspiration. I felt the same way when I left the spa as I do when I am headed home after a relaxing vacation...”if only I could bottle this feeling and take it home with me!” That is exactly what we need to do! We need to take steps daily that will help us to “always be charging”.
What is it that recharges your batteries? A hike in the woods? A trip to the ocean? Apple picking on a crisp fall day? Binge watching Hallmark movies? Curling up with a good book in front of the fire? Visiting an art museum or a bookstore? Whatever it is that fuels your body and your soul, I hope you take the time to do it before you let yourself get completely depleted.
There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says “Do not wait to dig the well until you are dying of thirst.” These are words to live by. If you are “always charging”, you will never let yourself get to the point where your batteries are dead and you hit a dangerously low level of energy.
My husband’s SUV has had battery problems this year. On more than one occasion, he has been greeted in the early hours of the morning by the dreaded clicking sound of a car battery that will not turn over. One of our friends was so concerned about this problem that she gave us a very special gift - a portable car battery charger. In addition to it being an incredibly helpful device, it is also perfectly named - it is called a HALO. This makes perfect sense to me because when your car battery is dead, you start wishing you had an angel with a halo who could immediately appear and make your car magically start.
We all need energy angels with halos...someone who will show up with a much-needed caffeine boost in the morning, a fiber filled lunch that will get us through a busy afternoon, refill our thermos with green tea throughout the day, and put a healthy dinner on the table every night. These basic things will help us to “always be charging”. Unless you have an energy angel in your life, you need to make sure you do what you have to do to keep yourself and your inner batteries charged up.
When we fuel ourselves with energy boosting food, enough water and plenty of rest, then our bodies will have what they need to stay fully charged. If you add some “soul food” (the things that feed your soul) to your daily intake, then your mind and spirit will be powered up as well. The next time you go to plug in your phone to get it fully charged, remember that it’s not just your phone that should always be charging.