While we were selling our creams by a lovely river watching two juvenile ospreys in a high up nest, I thought about some very basic things that are often overlooked when approaching personal health.

First, be true to yourself.  Sounds trite, but it's true.  If you are unhappy, eventually that emotion will entrench itself and create a richer environment for physical and mental discord.  So: What do you really want to do?  What really interests you? What are your limits? What are your strengths?  Keeping yourself on a positive energetic level is hugely important, and it is easier to do on a daily basis than it is when disaster has struck and you've crashed one way or another.  Herbs, essential oils and flower essences are big helpers in this endeavor.

Second, pay attention to what you eat.  Research seems to be indicating ever more strongly that the key to helping many ailments is nutritional, and supplementing vitamins, minerals, hormones and neurotransmitters the body uses up or that get thrown out of balance due to illness, medications being taken, or other reasons is extremely important.  Be aware of what the baseline situation for you is, and take action to support yourself accordingly, whether that be by taking supplements, eating yogurt, drinking more water, or whatever it might be.  Cramps in your calves can indicate a need for more calcium, and more rest.  Stomach issues can mean you need more serotonin, which the brain manufactures using tryptophan- a supplement you can easily find.  With a little basic research you can figure out what you may be lacking.  Or, you can contact your friendly herbalist here!  Issues like brain injury or chronic illness, for example, can be daunting to cope with.  But there is help available, and it is always possible to be the "best you can be" at any given point in time.  It requires patience and attention, but provides tremendous rewards.