We try to plan. But, as we move through life, things just happen.
We’ll set goals each year but, …. The Gods laugh. Make all the plans you want. The Universe, in its own time, is going to show up.
As they say, mess happens.
Those precious Life Skills develop for us as we learn to navigate the changes thrust upon us by Universe’s upsetting Hammer-of-Chaos.
The thing stands out as I move through my years is this; you need to be able to pause at any moment and not lose your stuff.
What do we do when everything shifts on us? Pause. We re-calibrate our efforts to match the new energy available and move forward. Refocus. Stay on target.
Then, there’s the empathetic piece. Everyone has something going on and we need to be kind. Can we pause long enough to, not only answer the call in that moment; but be generous and even kind?
That can be hard to do.
But, people crave kindness. I know I do. I want to be able to give it.
That’s really the point of this Universal exercise, I think. The Hammer-of-Chaos. It’s another integrity check for us to live with. An expanding personal boundary.
We have the responsibility to manage our own stuff such that we have the room to give a little. If we run ourselves too low on energy reserves, we’ll become brittle and break instead of bending in a wind.
We’re more likely to lose it at someone instead of being able to hold a ‘pause’ for them – and ourselves.
Today, in my workout, we were asked to do a new move that required intense focus… then, we were asked to pause. Next, came the impossible request: lift one leg.
As this workout unfolded, I found myself pondering how very much I struggled – until I just let go.
Let go. Relax. Stay focused.
Then, like a warm breeze, you are simply being in the moment. Alive and living your life. This pause isthe imprint. Breathe it in!
That’s what I learned. The doorway home is the release of struggle. There’s real strength in that pause.
The loss of balance is a precious opportunity to adjust. To pause. To harmonize vibration and renew our target for intention.
It’s our opportunity to be radiant.
Note:
This piece was originally published in February, before Covid-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement changed the entire world.
I thought to bring it forward again now, June 13, 2020, as a hopeful offering about something we can all do to make things a little better right now.
We need each other.
We need to live with the ability to be generous to each other in the face of our own stuff coming up. Be civil. Be loving. There are more changes coming.
As March goes out just like the Lion it roared in as we’re all anchored to our homes and communities for the foreseeable future.
Take a look around you at this moment. What you see is YOUR COMMUNITY. Breathe that in and let it settle.
Please practice ‘kindness first’ in the days to come.
Stay alert. Stay smart. Stay healthy.
Remember that you must take care of yourself. If we are healthy, we are available to pitch- in and help care for others.
Community
As of this writing, My hometown on the coast of Southern California has been officially under quarantine for about 13 days. My household is in the ‘fragile’ demographic and we need to be careful.
In the first week of the “shelter-in-place” order, we found our miles of beaches, trails and acres of parks crowded with large numbers of visitors from other, inland areas. It was packed. In the first week of shutdown, few seem to be staying home or practicing any social distancing.
The second week of our quarantine seems to be a bit more serious and people are making social-distancing a ‘thing’. Of course, the authorities closed down all parking lots to beaches, trails and parks, basically forcing people to walk from their cars to public areas.. Yes, that made a difference.
Any gathering stands out now. The pandemic curve is on the upswing in our region right now. Still… People, here and on the news, are not all practicing the new social hygiene.
What I saw in my own community this week included a neighbor welcoming couples over for a party on two different nights. Several places over this week I’ve seen unrelated kids playing together publicly in groups, while their adults socialized in questionable socially-distant isolation from each other. I saw one group of young adults playing touch football in the street.
There are way too many “Spreaders”. People among us who are not alert enough to the problem who continue to ‘mix households’, rendering our regional isolation less effective. Non-compliant members of our communities put the fragile among us at greater risk while the rest of us dutifully quarantine and the economy holds its breath.
Ways to Practice Self Care
Caring for ourselves is even more critical now because it means if we stay healthy we can help care for others.
What can you do? While you can, get that extra rest. Breathe deeply. Use the quarantine time to clean. Spring is here! Clear. Get caught up on all those ‘pending’ tasks at home. Make time to plan. Control your budget.
Barbara Ann Brennan, the famous energetic healer, taught us to approach being of service to others this way; “First those things that nourish the Self. Then pause for deep reflection. Then those things that nourish others.”
She understood that we must maintain our health first in order to be available to help others.
What Can You Do to Take Care of Yourself?
While all this chaos churns on around us, how can we make sure to take care of ourselves too?
You choose it. Just begin today with a single step.
Something that’s helped me commit to self-care during our isolation is to notice how overwhelmed I feel and just. Slow. Down.
I’ll take a few extra moments throughout the day to really enjoy little daily rituals. Extra, relaxed time washing and moisturizing my face can be very calming.
Dressing, grooming, straightening up our homes and cooking meals are all times that just scream at you “SLOW DOWN!” and just breathe a little more mindfully while we are in motion.
Really notice what you’re doing… and why.
Get out in Nature. We need exercise and walking in Nature now is perfect. It will clear your mind as well as your body’s energetic field. Time in Nature and her gardens gives me something to look forward to during this pandemic lock down.
Take time before sleep and give yourself a foot massage. Take a nap when you need one. Do a really deep meditation. Stretch your whole body. Breathe deeply. These are all things that will nourish your body and soul.
Salt Baths: The Flu Season “Go-To”
Don’t forget the salt bath as a seasonal therapy. It clears the energetic field of all that gunk that makes us feel so “polluted”. It will strip your field so remember to rest a while after. A salt bath is perfect before bed or meditation.
Himalayan salt is very nourishing, with its 86 minerals, and will leave your skin very soft. Epsom salts will soothe aching muscles because of the high magnesium content. Sea salt, table salt… it all works.
Use between 1/2 cup and 2 cups salt for your bath, depending on how you feel and what you want. Less salt gives a lighter cleanse and more will give a deep, saline wash.
Adding seaweed is an ancient bath ingredient and introduces lovely enzymes that nourishes the skin; especially helpful for soothing skin irritations. Any seaweed will work and can be used in a small, cloth drawstring bag or a zip-lock baggie with holes in it. Let the seaweed soak a few minutes to release the enzymes.
Add a few drops of your favorite skin oil and essential oil… and enjoy a lovely soak.
20 minutes is usually about right. You’ll feel your body begin to sweat when it’s time to end the bath. Now is a perfect time to rest or meditate for a few minutes.
If you don’t have a tub, take a handful of salt into the shower with you in a plastic dish or cup. After you are finished bathing, pour the salt into your hand and start at the top of your head, gently spreading it on down for a gentle salt scrub and clearing.
It’s always a smart idea during flu season to launder towels and linens and sanitize your surfaces often.
Let Nature Heal You
Take regular quiet time in Nature. She always helps us to clear and center ourselves.
Step onto an open path or into a garden space. Use this great, natural power to regenerate and help relieve stressful patterns. Remember to work with gratitude because we are truly co-creating our reality with Nature.
We’re In This Together
First of all, take a deep breath and let it go for a moment. Think about what you’re going to do to nourish yourself. Ok…
Self care is well-being. We’re moving through this pandemic and will find our new normal. Whatever we co-create with Nature, we’ll use our health and strength to do it.
Take care of yourselves and each other. Consider the new reality still gestating in the void. Contribute.
Being in this together…. That’s the old way and old ways are coming back!
