Pecked to Death By Ducks

This week the stomach flu hit our household with a vengeance! As I lay in bed, moaning, I did what every other self respecting woman would do… obsess about what wasn’t getting done.

Each thing I remembered was like something taking a bite out of me. Years ago Oprah had Maya Angelou as a guest. The poet in her marvelous voice talked of being “pecked to death by ducks.” It is an image which stays with me. She richly described not noticing when the duck takes a piece of your ear or the flange of your nose, but then not being able to stop it from consuming you whole, because it is too late.

Yes, the demands of the day can feel like the pecks of many hungry ducks. Sure, we all have ducks in our lives, some we train not to bite, to stay in their pens and not fight with the other ducks, others try we fend off. Yet the moment something takes your attention elsewhere, there those ducks are pecking at your … um… knees.

So how many ducks can you tame? The one for your family? The one for your job? Hopefully you’ve tamed the duck with your name on it. In order to keep them tame you have to protect yourself (and them) from the other ducks. Even pretty ducks can bite. An opportunity may look good, but if it doesn’t allow you to keep order, it is better to put up your hands and say, “No, you don’t get to take a bite out of me today.”

Okay, maybe it was the fever. But, my point is this: Take care of what is important to you, celebrate your ability to do it and protect yourself from being pulled away.

Oh, and wash your hands … a lot… the flu is NASTY!

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Eliz Greene is the Busy Woman’s Guide to a Health. Drawing on her experience surviving a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggling to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 100 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.