"Pushing down and holding back the history of a lifetime of injury and hurt from consciousness is painful, not metaphorically or psychically painful, but physically agonizing. It's a matter of blood, tissue, nerves and bone." BRB p. 623

Our bodies ached. We woke in the night. We sat there sweating, our pulses racing. We saw dark figures coming to get us, only to realize we were safe. During the course of our day, when people hugged us or shook our hands, we could tell they felt more relaxed than we did. When we tried to touch our toes or perform other physical tasks, we struggled. We often got sick because we carried the trauma in our bodies.

Slowly we come to realize that we need more to recover than just talk. We need to find ways to relax our physical selves as well. We need to unknot ourselves, physically as well as emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We gradually, patiently find ways to accomplish this by trying new things until we learn what works for us. We embrace this process on our path to a better, healthier life. We seek outside help when we need it, and share our progress in the safe haven of ACA.

On this day I give attention to my physical health. I will make a doctor's appointment if I need to. I will also explore different ways to release trauma from my body, trusting that I will find what works for me, one day at a time.