Here we are again. Another day has dawned. Thanks for showing up!
There was a time when I knew what each sunrise would bring. At least I thought I did. But that’s not now. It feels like earth is spinning out of control and if we’re not careful, we’ll fly off into space. The air’s charged with energy serving no purpose other than causing trouble.
Like me, you probably have a vision of a world where everyone is kind, loving, and plays well in the sandbox. Having rational and thoughtful conversations about shared goals, respecting each other’s point of view, and listening. Always listening.
Seems lots of folks aren’t listening. Could be their earbuds. Could be they are so immersed in their own whatevers they don’t care about anybody else anymore.
Server, this is not the life I ordered, thank you very much. Can you return this one and bring me something better? A little less crispy and burnt around the edges, with a giant side of comfort and joy. And for dessert, I’ll try an extra helping of rollicking fun and play.
How To Find Your Reset Button
Today I want to talk about self-care. Not too long ago, our community held an in-person self-care workshop. I created a neat and tidy handout of what self-care is and isn’t. But today, now, right this every minute, self-care feels different to me.
Seems what we need changes from minute to minute.
Used to be that self-care looked like me curled up in my comfy chair with my favorite book of the moment, soft background music, comfy slippers, and a steaming mug of chai tea. Ah…
That’s still delightful, but it’s not doing the trick. Gotta amp up my game. Time to adjust the list. Make it as flexible as the ever-changing world around us. More and more it seems the very first step is to make sure you don’t get caught up in an energy, a situation, a “crisis” that isn’t yours. To stay above the fray.
Here’s my new and improved outside-the-box list for self-care:
- Remember, self-care is not selfish. It’s mandatory for growth and peace of mind.
- Be more vigilant than ever in paying attention to how you feel in any given moment.
- Feel all the feelings, then let them pass right on through. Do not hang on to any emotion that is not in your best interest. Ever.
- Express your needs. What you need is important—even if it changes in a flash. You thought you needed down time and suddenly realized, no, that’s not it. You need your like-minded peeps. Right now. That’s ok.
- Do not spend any time in situations or relationships where you don’t feel valued. You are worth the best life has to offer, 100% of the time.
- Say what you mean and mean what you say. And hold others accountable for the same. Plain speak is the name of the game.
- Saying no is not only acceptable, but necessary sometimes.
I get it. You need more than a checklist. You need to feel like you’re making forward progress towards a better world. Because the server just hasn’t returned with that better life yet. Dangit.
- Keep your eyes upward, above the chaos, holding the vision of what you want and need.
- Don’t fight against what feels wrong; find what feels right and grow in that direction. You’ll find others who feel the same. And that is where your power lies.
- Keep your heart open to the good around you. It’s there. Love is what connects us.
- Intentionally expand and build your community. Expand your phone-a-friend list by openly seeking out like-minded souls for support.
Yes, you might have to leave your comfort zone for a sec. But once you find your peeps, that comfort zone of yours will quickly expand to include them.
Surfing Life’s Chaos
I attended a Mike Dooley workshop recently, and, with his permission, I’m quoting his list of suggestions for rising above the fray.
“The greater the chaos, individually or collectively, the greater the opportunities for profound, life-enhancing transformation.”
7-Steps for Doing Your Part to Surf Life’s Chaos
©Mike Dooley, www.tut.com
- Visualize and act on your own happiness over the micromanagement of circumstances.
- Accept, surrender, and release yourself from national/global worries.
- Adapt your journey on the fly; evolve, respond, and adjust when necessary.
- Diversify your “ground game”—experiment with brand new ideas and directions.
- Never look back. Don’t compare today to the past or yourself to others.
- Understand you live in a non-neutral, conspiring, benevolent, loving Universe.
- Expect the unexpected.
My Final Two Cents
One thing I know for sure: we are here now as a result of what we’ve done before. If we want things to improve, we have to be and do differently. As we all work together, we can create the world we envision. One where we are bound together by love.
Moving forward with love is the only way to get to where you want to be. Moving forward with hate will give us more of what we’ve got already.
I think we’ve all had enough of that. I know I have.
Let’s do this thing!
