Friendships, Women's Health and The Secret to a Happy Uterus

Oh it's a happy day! I've just come back from my first foray out to socialize after convalescing for a while. I had lunch with a dear, dear friend whom I was, if you may call it "estranged" from over the last six months. This friend of mine is a soul sister and I mourned the time that we were apart. My recent illness brought us back together again and now things are just like the way they were before. She's also back to her old, jolly self. Our previous jobs both got the better of us and affected our friendship somehow, but once a sister, always a sister. We've been together (sisters in crime) for many years now and she has been an anchor for me in the many highs and lows of life. I really thank the Lord for restoring our friendship - truly, all in HIS perfect time.

Over a sumptuous but health Japanese lunch, we talked about women's health and how really, when you reach a certain age, you need to be doubly vigilant about caring for yourself. I remember how at my check-up last week, I asked my OB-Gyne "So how do I keep my uterus and ovaries happy healthy?" She smiled and said, "Well there's no fixed formula, except that you need to make sure to take the necessary tests as you grow older." Pondering her reply, I surfed the net last night to print out a checklist of the tests we women need to take on a regular basis and I was lead to this site -- The Women's Health Checklist by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which has a chart for you to follow and print-out. Another interesting site i stumbled upon is an article explaining the why's and importance of
Adult Immunizations which is something we take forgranted when we're old enough to leave the pediatrician's office. You realize, as you grow older that it's better to be safe than sorry.

My friend and I agreed that good health also goes beyond the physical, you need to care for your mental and emotional well-being as well. This is where the area of mind-body medicine comes to play, especially among women where our emotions are so strongly linked to the aches and pains that we feel. The way we treat our bodies - reverently or irreverently - will surely manifest itself in physical aches and ills over time. A case in point. I've had a dear friend (from whom I have lost touch) who was (and continues to be) in an illicit relationship with a married man. For many years (up to now) she would have to struggle with one infection after another in her reproductive system. In addition to this, she would also have stomach disorders. Prior to this relationship, she was hale and healthy but after a few years of being in this dalliance with this man, she began to get all sorts of ills in the reproductive area. Unfortunately, she opts to carry on with him and so the cycle continues. Two women I know had embattled relationships with their mother for long periods of time. Both women ended up having cysts on their breasts - one was benign, the other was early stage cancer. After having gone through treatment, their relationships were restored and they now have healthy bodies and relationships with their mother.

Majority of people nowadays are either stressed or depressed. Just take a look around you or even within yourself, and you will see what I mean. I told her I believe the secret to avoiding either states is to find contentment. Why do we people get stressed anyway? Often because it is they work so hard and leave no time to enjoy the personal things that will enrich their minds and spirits. You will earn a lot when you work extra hard but will you live long enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor? Depression, when there is no physiological basis, is often rooted in again desiring for something more and not being happy with the self. We get into relationships that we shouldn't be involved in, we take on so much more that we can carry, we are unable to forgive and let go of the past, we wrap ourselves and live lies in order to keep up a front. The secret is in learning to truly accepting yourself, warts and all, in being content with what God has given you and in always making time for God everyday by reading scrpiture and walking in His ways. It's one thing to pray - that's the easy part - it's the obedience and trust that makes the big difference. It's really that simple if you set your heart and mind to it. It's our earthly desires that complicates matters and pushes us to the brink of stress and/or depression. Peace of mind and true joy come from two C's - contentment and Christ.

Friendships are crucial to sustaining good health too and that's why I celebrate this day. This morning I received this lovely email which I sent to the girlfriends who have helped preserve my mental health and have touched my life in big and small ways. PLease feel free to pass this on to the women who have made a difference in your life too..

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of
one best friend, and then I started to become a woman.

And then I found out that if you allow your heart to
open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things
with your man.

Another friend is needed when you're going through
things with your mom.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt,joke,
or just be.

One friend will say let's pray together, another let's
cry together, another let's fight together, another
let's walk away together.

One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your
shoe fetish, another your love for movies, another
will be with you in your season of confusion, another
will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your
wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on
whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or
wherever you need them to meet you with their gym
shoes on and hair pulled back, or to hold you back
from making a complete fool of yourself...those are
your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many
it's wrapped up in several... one from 7th grade, one
from high school, several from the college years, a
couple from old jobs, several from church,
on some days your mother, on some days your neighbor,
on others your sisters, and on some days your
daughters.

So whether they've been there 20 minutes or 20 years,

ONLY IF YOU WISH

Pass this on to the women that God has placed in your
life to make a difference.