Gosh, I do envy the ability of my dog to shake off stress and move into the next present moment, wagging her tail and loving life.
I let myself be emotionally wounded today. And while I have great strategies and loved ones to help me through hard and awkward times, I still feel quite shocked. To help my body through this I had a temper tantrum on the phone with my dad. I sprinted in the mud and rain with my dog. And I connected with some of my BodyTalk peeps.
Thankfully the ordeal created incredible clarity for me. About what I don’t want in my life.
When I work with my patients I spend time on the first visit clarifying what they do want – why they want to be healthy. Because we don’t get healthy for the sake of getting healthy. A healthy body and mind are the vehicle that drives us to our delightful lives.
It’s very common for my patients to not really know what they want. And if you feel the same way this article is for you.
It’s also for you if you’re feeling unsatisfied with your life.
At some point this is going to happen. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer but it is highly likely that there will be some niggly voice inside you that says, “This isn’t working, move on, decide differently.”
The place where you’re actually ready to make changes is the place where the pain or fear of change is less than the pain or fear of staying the same.
People might call this rock bottom.
And it’s a sign that it’s time to take a step in a new direction. I do find it interesting that we tend to choose to move towards the less painful option instead of the one that lights up and brings us joy. Curious, right?
I think so indeed.
But what if we could direct our attention to the things that do feel delightful instead of just less scary or less painful?
But as mentioned most people don’t know what those things are or they do know but it feels like years away because it is so different from where they are right now, in boredom, overwhelm, and burn out.
When you feel yourself being unsatisfied with the status quo wondering if there is more (and there likely is) but not sure what you want, try this five minute practice.
It starts with tuning in.
Find a comfortable cozy spot where you can be undisturbed for 5 minutes. If this means waking up a few minutes early before all the kidlets scramble out of bed then so be it. It’s worth it.
Get yourself a timer, a pen, and a notebook.
Once you’re feeling comfortable, start with some deep belly breathing to help your body and mind relax. As you breathe in allow your belly to bulge out and as you exhale allow your belly to come gently into a hollow.
Set an intention. Be clear. Say, “My intention for this next 5 minutes is to be present to listen to the wisdom from deep inside me.” Or, “My intention for this exercise is to explore my heart’s desire.”
Pick one of the question prompts below, and set your timer. Start with 5 minutes, and as you get experienced you can increase it to 15 minutes.
Start writing. And don’t stop. Never lift your pen from the paper. Keep writing. Even if you have no idea what to write. Write that down. And write, “I am willing to connect with my heart.” Or, “I am open to wisdom and guidance.”
Write with out editing, stopping or judging.
Do this until the timer goes off.
Then boom! You’re done!
Repeat the next day. And the next day. And the one after that. After a fortnight (one of my favourite words) spend some extra time reflecting on what you’ve written by reading it. Circle important words. Highlight key phrases. Underline your Ahas.
Allow it to be a fun process of discovery. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Eventually you’ll see the patterns in your words. You’ll be able to say, “I want this and my next best step is…” Period. (By the way you only have to know one step at a time because the subsequent one will reveal itself when you’re ready for it like those sponge animals that start as a capsule but start to open up and show their form when placed in water.)
The truth is you need to take time to listen to what your body wants to tell you about what your soul wants. But you have to train yourself to listen and that’s exactly what this exercise can help you do.
Here are some questions / prompts to get your inner wisdom speaking up:
What what does my soul want today?
What does my body need right now?
How could I let more joy into my life?
What would satisfy me?
Where can I put my attention so I can nurture myself?
What would be the most magical outcome?
What would feel like a miracle right now?
How can I connect with what feels just out of reach?
What does my spirit need in this moment?
What would feel like an energetic and emotional win?
What is my next best step to feeling good?
How can I feel good more often?
How can I let this be peaceful and easy?
How can I allow my life to go well all the time?
The bottom line is you have to ask to get an answer.
Get clear. Get moving. Get your thriving, delightful, healthy life.
Here’s to exactly that!
Great blog! Sorry you had a set to with your Dad but glad you moved on…I find personal writing very good for getting in touch with my feelings and with my needs. It has led me to retirement and a life of choices and better health.