Empowerment
“We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.
But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles,
and you are her NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.”
-Steve Maraboli-
All of us experience physical and/or emotional discomfort now and then. To be able to be at ease with this, it helps to find out which tools can guide us from discomfort to comfort. From resistance to allowance. How to stay strong and not loose power in connection to others or to things that happen to us. Many times we blame others, ourselves or the situation. But how to find peace within ourselves in times of distress? If we know which activities empower us to take responsibility for ourselves, we don’t waste our energy on others or things we can’t control. I share some of the tools that guided me along the way, but it’s important to have your own. And most important: write them down so you remind yourself of them as soon as heavy, sad or other negative energy shows up. Very often our mind already takes control and forces us back into our old patterns. The sooner we notice heaviness and grap one of our tools, the sooner the discomfort can be released and we feel at ease with ourselves.
My toolbox to prevent discomfort as best as possible:
- Practicing yoga.
- Spending time outside (by gardening or walking in nature).
- Keeping a diary to help me through hard times and to be grateful for everything I do have.
- Taking care of my body by eating healthy.
- Practicing Donna Eden’s 10-minutes daily energy routine (https://youtu.be/N8aTJ4U-Az8). Donna Eden suffered from many health complications. She developed an ability to see how the invisible energy runs through our body and brought together the meridian and chakra system into a daily energy routine. Very helpful to release stress and to support our immune and digestive system.
My toolbox when I already experience discomfort, so when my mind has taken control and I’m losing power:
- Taking a deep cleansing breath to bring me back into the present moment. This already calms me down most of the time. If I feel symptoms of stress in my belly or chest I practice breathing techniques (pranayama).
- I Notice, Observe, Embrace, Let go (NOEL). First I notice discomfort in my body. Then I bring my attention to this place to observe. I don’t run away from it by looking for distraction. I don’t analyse. I don’t identify with it by making up a story. I just observe it. Then I embrace the discomfort by telling myself that it’s okay to have this feeling. Because from a state of acceptance it can let me go and I take back my power. Resistance makes it grow. A very helpful tool is “The Invitation” of Juno Burger (https://youtu.be/9k9jaXFIjxM).
- I quiet my mind by meditation or going for a walk and I use affirmations to calm down and to change my thought patterns from negative into positive ones. I talk to myself like I would talk to a friend who needs support. I tell myself for example that I’m stronger than my mind makes me think, that love is safe for me, that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, ……
- When I’m too restless, meditation doesn’t work for me, then I really have to do something physical. I go for a hike, get my bike or dance. And years ago I discovered the great benefits of intuitive painting when something needs to get out of my body.
- I listen to music that makes me happy.
Again, this is what works for me. Find your own tools and your own truth. Feel what you need and what empowers you.
