I just came back to Atlanta after a month of traveling. It was only natural for me to wake up in the morning on the day after with the longest To-Do list ever….. First, it was in my head.
When I started to meditate, the only thing I could focus on was my list. I did what I usually do when this happens: I did a Journaling Meditation. In my journal, I put it all on paper, without worrying about what it is or what it looks like. Then, I took a big piece of paper and wrote down the list I had in my head. Everything. Looking at the list I knew that it is not reasonable to think that I, or any human being, would be able to do all these in one day.
Read More Post a comment (0)On my flight back home I read the book “Book Yourself Solid” by Michael Port. Port says: “Part of what keeps us stuck is that we take ourselves, and the process, too seriously”.
I can relate to this. Sometimes, I turn something small into a big deal and I get frustrated from not being able to move forward. What do I do to release the blockage? I approach the problem with an attitude of PLAY and with CURIOSITY.
How do I do that?
By closing my eyes, taking a few deep breaths and leting myself off the hook.
By taking a different or unexpected move that will bring some lightness or humor into the situation. If I leave the problem and do something playful or fun in the meantime, chances are big that when I come back I will be able to solve the problem. This is known in psychology too. “Sleep on it” has a scientific basis.
Feeling stuck? Let yourself of the hook, take it easy, and approach the problem with a sense of play and curiosity.
It is day 3. My dad is the same and it is really hard for me to watch him behave like a different person. Lots of feelings are coming up for me: worry, fear, sadness, but also some gratitude and peace.
There is nothing I can do right now to fix the situation. I know that I should allow myself to feel these feelings.
I decide to use my notepad as a journal. I let my pen to lead my hand through pages of writing. I write whatever comes up. I don’t try to make it pretty. I write everything: the pain and the sorrow, the hope and the joy.
From time to time, I hear my dad in the background talking to himself. Some of his imaginary stories are really funny! I allow myself to laugh. After all – sense of humor is important in a time like that.
After writing pages and pages I feel a relief. It feels good to acknowledge the feelings and then to release them.
Your daily balance tip: Write it all out!
Why do I invite you to look at your hand?
Because Intentional Noticing is another simple way to bring balance into your life.
Let’s look at these 2 words: “Intentional” and “Noticing”.
An on-line dictionary defines Intentional as done deliberately and having to do with intention and defines Noticing as The act of noting or observing, perception or attention.
Why did I even look it up?The other day, I was interviewing Sandy Bramlett for my “Ask the Expert” series. I ask the experts I interview for easy tips to bring balance into my life. Sandy led me (and all of you who can still listen to the interview) in an exercise of spending a few minutes observing your hand. I have been practice this exercise every day since then, and it works. I feel that it makes me present, especially if I also stay aware of my breath, and it takes me away from my thoughts, my worries, my “To Do” lists and everything else.
For those five minutes, it is only me observing my hand – a taste of freedom.
Today’s tip:
Observe your hand. All directions, all aspects: look, posture, texture, color, shape, touch. 5 minutes. That’s all you need. Let me know what you have noticed.
“I am exhausted” I told a dear friend several weeks ago. She suggested that I should be more careful with the words I choose. We say “Exhausted” when we mean “tired.” We say “starving” when we mean “hungry.” We say “depressed” when we mean “sad.” The words we think and say often become a reality.
Today, I was telling a friend about the day I had and, instinctively, the words difficult, hard, and terrible came to mind. I was able to pause before speaking, so that I could change my word choice. With more positive words and positive thinking, my day could turn out to be less “terrible”.
What words in your daily vocabulary can you change to create a more positive reality?
How would you feel about NOT using your cell phone for one day every week?
A lot of people think they can’t survive the modern age without their cell phone, iPod, the Internet, television etc. Recently, while traveling, I was in a situation where I had no Internet or phone connection for a full day. At the beginning it was strange and felt unsafe. How could I live without reporting to my family where I am every second? How could I live without knowing where they are very second? This was a situation that was forced upon me. It wasn’t my choice. I am asking myself now, if I will be able to chose to have no communication for a day, or even for an evening. Why? Because there is so much NOISE around us and we spend so much of our time texting/emailing/talking. When I was forced into this situation I actual felt more peaceful. More connected to myself. So I wonder if having this designated time every week will bring me some more inner peace.
What do you think? Can you imagine yourself choosing to be disconnected so you can have more balance?
A few weeks ago, as I was entering my car to drive to the Heal Center, I realized that my husband was driving my car the day before. How did I know? The seat was too far and I also had to adjust the mirrors. But there was another hint: The radio was tuned to a classical music station. Interesting! I usually listen to inspirational CD’s or songs while driving. I decided to give it a try and allowed the music to play. What a beautiful ride! It had such a healing impact on me. First, I listened to the different instruments, trying to guess what they are “saying”, almost like asking them: “What’s your story?” Then, I was able to let go and just allowed the music to flow into every cell of my body, my mind, my heart. Soon, I realize, that the thoughts and worries I had before were slowly “melting” into this wonderful creation of sound. When I got to the Heal Center I was relaxed, even before doing my meditation. I now enjoy classical music in my car when I drive.
