To pay attention ~
this is our endless and proper work.
~~ Mary Oliver
Greetings to all my precious people!!
It is the first day of March in a leap year!! And still, the remnants of Winter remain. During this transitional phase, warm sunny days are mixed with cold rainy moments as the Earth moves in her cyclical shifting pattern. Mother Nature continues to be our best teacher as she adapts and moves forward, mirroring our own Life pivots and shifts. We acknowledge the quiet phase of Winter for surely it is a reminder of the trust and faith we have that Spring will appear. These seasonal patterns reflect life lessons in persistence, patience, and promise. The message of this ‘in-between’ time continues to be: slow down, get quiet, and prioritize deep rest to support your own Spring renewal.
Every single one of us creates an impression in the world on a daily basis. How we show up in our everyday lives demonstrates who we are and what we value. But did you start your day today with an intention? A review of your precious values? Do you realize that your intention and values project your Presence to others?
When we choose to be more intentional about how we show up in our relationships with family and friends, as well as in our work life, we can be more aware of our impact in the world. In relationships, we often find ourselves thinking “if only he would change” or “if she could just be different” and many other iterations about how others seem to be missing the mark. But where are we in the equation? Noticing our tendency to be stuck in certain patterns and relationships can be the small window allowing us to see the common denominator in all these interactions is me/us.
Until you make the unconscious conscious,
it will direct your life and you will call it fate.
~~ Carl Gustav Jung
Most of us operate in a react mode, daily, automatically and many times unconsciously. The neuroscientists and behavioral researchers point out that we react based on programming set in place in our formative years, typically before the age of 7. Imagine that!!! Somewhere deep in a neural network of our brain is a remnant of a coping skill or adaptive behavior that served us long ago. Suddenly, during a current conversation with our boss, our spouse, or our child, that network reignites itself with the learned response but the context is off, the parameters are different, and the lines of communication become messy. What can we do to be more present and aware?
Learning to pause and take a deep breath is always a good pattern interrupt. This also allows us to “reboot” our brain, much like we would reboot our computer, when the system is running amok and things are not going the way we planned. More importantly, taking the time to consider our values and our intentions allows us to begin to cultivate and build a new energetic foundation. For example, the people you spend the most time with actually contribute to – or detract from – your energetic resources. How you choose to live your day-to-day life – how much you prioritize sleep, how much you move your body every day, how you choose to feed and nourish yourself – all of this will either build or deplete your fundamental source of energy. And while this sounds so simple and “easy” it does require commitment and consistency to achieve it.
Anese Cavanaugh, the CEO of Active Choices Inc. and creator of the IEP Method® (Intentional Energetic Presence) is a strategist and advisor to leaders around the world. Her 2019 book, Contagious You, is a great reference point for the gentle reminder that whatever is – or is not – working in your life, be it your relationships, your job and work environment, or your connection to your Self, the common denominator is YOU. While her book was specifically written to address leadership within companies, it still reflects back on the general focus: no matter if you are leading a Fortune 500 company, or if you are the CEO of your home and family, your intentions, energy, and presence impact your ability to do anything within your life. Her book offers an invitation to UNLOCK your own power. YOU set the tone of your day to day life. YOU are the culture of your family and community. So show up, intentionally, to become the change you wish to see in the world.
All of this showing up with attention and intention sounds great, and most of us can resonate with the fact that we can choose to make a difference in our own lives. But how do we begin? SIMPLY. We begin simply, by making choices that are easy to implement, so that we can gain confidence in our changes. So here is your homework for the week: STOP PROCRASTINATING. Turn off your phone and take a walk outside, for 15 minutes. Take some time to reflect on what brings you joy and consider what are some of your strengths. Begin to spend time with your Self and view your unique, unrepeatable Self with tender love and curiosity. Then imagine the possibilities!
The Irish word ‘Cúram’ (koor-uhm), means encapsulating care and responsibility. Cúram in the context of self-love is a holistic concept. It’s not merely about occasional acts of self-care; instead it requires a continuous, mindful commitment to nurturing ourselves in every aspect of life. This includes honoring our physical health, nurturing our mental well-being, fostering emotional intelligence, and cultivating spiritual connection. In practicing cúram, we embrace the responsibility of making choices that align with our deepest needs and values. This is about creating a life that not only sustains us but allows us to flourish. Take a moment to reflect on the ways you can integrate cúram into your daily routines, relationships, and long-term goals. How does practicing thoughtful self-care impact our overall well-being and the quality of our interactions with others?
In the Irish tradition, the “Anam Cara” is considered the soul friend, a teacher, a spiritual guide. It is a trusted companion who walks with you during the journey of Life, available for reflection, conversation, friendship, and support as you uncover your own Truth. This is the foundation of my practice here at Touchstone Acupuncture, incorporating multiple modalities and resources to support the community of people seeking healing on all levels. If there are some recurring patterns in your life that you want to shift, schedule a discovery call today to find out how we might be able to work together.
