(Scroll down for guided meditation.) I’m willing to bet that you have a lot going on in your individual, personal life.
Globally, you don’t need me to tell you that there are plenty of things to worry about.
I imagine that you feel some stress and, maybe, anxiety - at least occasionally. Maybe often.
Sometimes, we’re able to open our hearts and our awareness. Other times, we may need to retract a little; to protect ourselves and rest and restore.
This rhythm – of sometimes opening and sometimes closing – happens whether we want it to or not. Our energy and attention naturally has ups and downs, regardless of how much we try to will ourselves to always stay “on.”
By bringing some awareness to when we’re able to open and be present - and also when we need to step back and protect ourselves - we’re better able to care for ourselves, our loved ones, the people around us - and even strangers.
Yes, we can push through for a little while, through pure determination – and I know you, my friends, you do have determination! – but sooner or later, the “down,” the need to check-out and rest, will make itself known whether we’ve planned it or not.
Even when we don’t acknowledge our need for rest, we take - and if it’s not intentional, it may come out in the form of snapping at a loved one, losing our cool in traffic, endlessly scrolling through social media, binging on [you fill in the blank], or some other form of “numbing,” to borrow from Brene Brown.
So, the question is not whether or not we need a break. We all need breaks. You need breaks.
But, the question is how are we going to take the break?
Is it going to be in a way that is unintentional and potentially adds to our regrets and suffering? Or, is it going to be in a way that is productive and allows us to rest and restore?
Can we gently bring some curiosity to how we’re doing and check-in on when we need a break?
Take this blog - and the attached video - as an invitation to check-in with yourself and see how you’re doing.
Do you need a break? If so, can you take one? I’d encourage you to say yes - knowing that whether or not you want to acknowledge the need for a break, if you need it, it will come out. So, when we need a break, can we take one in a productive way.
Ethan Nichtern has said that self-care is a privilege but not selfish. I love this. Self-care is a privilege. It’s a privilege to have the time and wherewithal to care for ourselves. But it isn’t selfish. Knowing when we need to take a break, and allowing ourselves to take a healthy one, is a much more productive way to care for ourselves, our loved ones, and our world.
I wish you a day filled with all you need!
Go to 4:12 in the video to skip the intro and get right to the meditation.
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