Good morning folks, how are you all keeping? I've had a pleasant weekend here in the PNW. Last week was one of working with the landvaettir & conjuring to improve lives. While doing so, I've been in deep reflection; analyzing and taking stock of all that has been going on this year.
2020 is very much unlike any other, as it's generally rather unlikely for all or most of our compatriots to be in crisis at the same time. Now that this has occurred and is occurring, we're each finding a greater and greater need to become self-reliant. As these experiences and the lessons tied to them flood our lives, it's only natural that we find ourselves a bit overwhelmed.
I'd like to provide a few tips to help you each survive and, if possible, thrive this year. My great hope is to make all this a bit easier for the lives I touch!
With that in mind, one of first things that comes to mind is the topic of mental resiliency. When it's all too easy to have a bad day, having good ones can be something of a substantial chore. Learning to influence and eventually the mental software within can be extraordinarily empowering, and it's a literal survival mechanism right now.
If you're having a bad day, take a break from the screen and set your eyes on some manner of a horizon. I'd recommend going outside and looking out into the horizon if possible, but any act of unfocusing the eyes from the device you're working on is a necessary touchstone or making this work. As you do this, start with some manner of simple mantra...I'd recommend "this too shall pass", either chanted aloud or within. Take five minutes to do this, then return to your day.
If you do this a few times a day and really get into this practice, it'll help your mindset and function.
This practice is a kind of five minute meditation; a refocusing exercise that alters the way the mind works in the moment. It is a kind of mental self-care, and that's good for us.
Likewise, engage in self-care routines. Once or twice a week at the very least. Shower, comb/brush your hair and take some time to look after your needs. For those of you who are feeling depressed & apathetic, I know this will feel like work - that's a part of what makes this so important. Taking this time to check in with self will help you to develop a better understanding of what you need each day and as you get better at managing your own needs, you'll find that you stand in your own way less down the road, leading to a greater personal efficiency.
Finally, I'd very much recommend doing nice things for others inasmuch as you can. Even something as simple as making tea for your spouse or roommate will do. If you can't do that, communicate kindnesses and try to connect with those who are still capable of doing the same. This leads to a chemical change within the mind and body that helps us to feel more comfortable and at ease, giving us a bit of "insulation" from the intensity around us.
The year isn't yet over and we've got further to go & more to do. I hope these tips help each of you!
Be safe and be blessed.
-Chris
2020 is very much unlike any other, as it's generally rather unlikely for all or most of our compatriots to be in crisis at the same time. Now that this has occurred and is occurring, we're each finding a greater and greater need to become self-reliant. As these experiences and the lessons tied to them flood our lives, it's only natural that we find ourselves a bit overwhelmed.
I'd like to provide a few tips to help you each survive and, if possible, thrive this year. My great hope is to make all this a bit easier for the lives I touch!
With that in mind, one of first things that comes to mind is the topic of mental resiliency. When it's all too easy to have a bad day, having good ones can be something of a substantial chore. Learning to influence and eventually the mental software within can be extraordinarily empowering, and it's a literal survival mechanism right now.
If you're having a bad day, take a break from the screen and set your eyes on some manner of a horizon. I'd recommend going outside and looking out into the horizon if possible, but any act of unfocusing the eyes from the device you're working on is a necessary touchstone or making this work. As you do this, start with some manner of simple mantra...I'd recommend "this too shall pass", either chanted aloud or within. Take five minutes to do this, then return to your day.
If you do this a few times a day and really get into this practice, it'll help your mindset and function.
This practice is a kind of five minute meditation; a refocusing exercise that alters the way the mind works in the moment. It is a kind of mental self-care, and that's good for us.
Likewise, engage in self-care routines. Once or twice a week at the very least. Shower, comb/brush your hair and take some time to look after your needs. For those of you who are feeling depressed & apathetic, I know this will feel like work - that's a part of what makes this so important. Taking this time to check in with self will help you to develop a better understanding of what you need each day and as you get better at managing your own needs, you'll find that you stand in your own way less down the road, leading to a greater personal efficiency.
Finally, I'd very much recommend doing nice things for others inasmuch as you can. Even something as simple as making tea for your spouse or roommate will do. If you can't do that, communicate kindnesses and try to connect with those who are still capable of doing the same. This leads to a chemical change within the mind and body that helps us to feel more comfortable and at ease, giving us a bit of "insulation" from the intensity around us.
The year isn't yet over and we've got further to go & more to do. I hope these tips help each of you!
Be safe and be blessed.
-Chris