Stop, breathe and stay openhearted if ever possible, sometimes asking for advice of dear friends and loved ones, invite creativity to arise, stay or try to come back to be open minded, reply clear minded and in loving kindness. Work in progress…
listening and talking with friends, praying, meditating, good reading, being here on this site, also working and practicing sport (lately I love playing tennis) generally being true to myself and turning my attention to something practical.
Tonight I went to the Beach and took a very long walk. When I got there I had such a stress headache. It is gone, I so needed that!
The water was warm and I felt pure bliss just listening to the waves.
Sometimes I just need a pause when dealing with a difficult situation but I always find strength after that to try to figure it out and never give up hope.
My typical practices are walking in nature, listening to calming music or coming to this site to read reflections. Talking to friends and family. Going to Mass always helps me as well. I find much needed peace at my church.
Breathing is becoming my main
coping tool. It’s amazing. Something so
simple, yet so effective. Bringing me
back to my body, back to this moment.
Also, my gratitude practice. Knowing that
in any moment, I can find something to be
grateful for. I know there must be a limit
to this, but so far in my life, I have easily been
able to find something to be grateful for.
These days, my schedule is extremely busy and I often don’t have the time to squeeze in meditation or a hike in the woods like I used to. For years those have been anchors in my toolbox and I still use them from time to time. One of my regular tools these days is listening to motivational or self-help style podcasts on my daily commute; it has become a really powerful way for me to get my day started with a positive mindset and break away from anxious thoughts.
Ensuring I’m mindful. Taking a step back to get perspective, nothing is worth tying myself up over. If other people are involved, imagining ways that this situation could have come to be. Visualizing what the worst thing that could happen might be, it’s usually manageable. Creating a strategy that yields the best results. Being open to communicating with anyone involved, or getting opinions from others if I’m not happy with my outlook. Having faith in my ability to navigate the situation gracefully.
For me, spending time with my friend Alex has given me strength. They are someone who I believe is the definition of unconditional love and support. Last year was one of the most difficult times of my life and Alex held me so lovingly and tenderly. They are someone who I feel like I can be myself completely and not feel judged for doing so. Other things that give me strength is my meditation practice, yoga, listening to music, journaling, and going on hikes to nearby state parks.
Taking a deep breath, and then another, and then another. Sometimes I look at the rock on my desk that has 3 faces on which I’ve inked the words inhale, exhale, breathe.
Reminding myself that no matter what I do or don’t do, say or don’t say, tomorrow morning the sun will rise.
Resting in the knowledge that I’ve been through lots of trials that no longer ache or sting or burn the way they did as they unfolded, I always do my best in the moment with what I have and who I am, and I will take a lesson away from whatever this is.
I have been introduced to a saying: “what you practice gains strength”. So when the difficulty arises, I acknowledge it and it’s severity. After that I go to nature, do a creative activity, reach out to someone, pray, or hug a stuff animal.
First and foremost, I call on my ancestors and claim their strength. It always calms me and reminds me that those that came before me want me to flourish. I remind myself that if I’m ruminating over my past or projecting in to the future, I go there alone because Life is always NOW. I know can always turn to music. I pop a CD in the player and I sing along, I dance around, I let my feelings out in song. It also helps to call and check on a friend. So many times, when I listen to what they are dealing with in this moment, I hear myself sharing with them the very words I need most to hear. And as I have shared here before, I try to never turn a situation into a problem.
I really like your statement “I try to never turn a situation into a problem.” I have one of those situations right now, and this helped me reframe it. Thank you, Carol.
Just yesterday at work I started to describe something as an “issue” (with a negative connotation), then stopped and said, “Wait, that’s a situation.” Thank you for sharing that reframing previously–so helpful.
Research is something I do that is positive. Too often I overthink and worry. I do try to remember something that I was told once: Think of something hard you got through in the past and what helped you through it. Then see if you can use some of those same techniques to get through this hard time. Someone dear told me once, when she knew I would be facing sorrow soon, that I should steel myself. Maybe that is one of the reasons I spend time here.
My cognitive demon is distorted thinking. Meditation, mindfulness of the present moment & repetition of a mantra help diffuse its power. Today poses challenges where I am invoking all three.
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Stop, breathe and stay openhearted if ever possible, sometimes asking for advice of dear friends and loved ones, invite creativity to arise, stay or try to come back to be open minded, reply clear minded and in loving kindness. Work in progress…
listening and talking with friends, praying, meditating, good reading, being here on this site, also working and practicing sport (lately I love playing tennis) generally being true to myself and turning my attention to something practical.
Tonight I went to the Beach and took a very long walk. When I got there I had such a stress headache. It is gone, I so needed that!
The water was warm and I felt pure bliss just listening to the waves.
Sometimes I just need a pause when dealing with a difficult situation but I always find strength after that to try to figure it out and never give up hope.
My typical practices are walking in nature, listening to calming music or coming to this site to read reflections. Talking to friends and family. Going to Mass always helps me as well. I find much needed peace at my church.
Breathing is becoming my main
coping tool. It’s amazing. Something so
simple, yet so effective. Bringing me
back to my body, back to this moment.
Also, my gratitude practice. Knowing that
in any moment, I can find something to be
grateful for. I know there must be a limit
to this, but so far in my life, I have easily been
able to find something to be grateful for.
These days, my schedule is extremely busy and I often don’t have the time to squeeze in meditation or a hike in the woods like I used to. For years those have been anchors in my toolbox and I still use them from time to time. One of my regular tools these days is listening to motivational or self-help style podcasts on my daily commute; it has become a really powerful way for me to get my day started with a positive mindset and break away from anxious thoughts.
I’m curious, what podcasts motivate you. I’m looking for a few to listen to as well.
Thanks!
I’ve been listening to Eddie Pinero a lot lately. Sometimes it feels a bit cheesy, but he’s got some really good perspectives.
Ensuring I’m mindful. Taking a step back to get perspective, nothing is worth tying myself up over. If other people are involved, imagining ways that this situation could have come to be. Visualizing what the worst thing that could happen might be, it’s usually manageable. Creating a strategy that yields the best results. Being open to communicating with anyone involved, or getting opinions from others if I’m not happy with my outlook. Having faith in my ability to navigate the situation gracefully.
For me, spending time with my friend Alex has given me strength. They are someone who I believe is the definition of unconditional love and support. Last year was one of the most difficult times of my life and Alex held me so lovingly and tenderly. They are someone who I feel like I can be myself completely and not feel judged for doing so. Other things that give me strength is my meditation practice, yoga, listening to music, journaling, and going on hikes to nearby state parks.
Taking a deep breath, and then another, and then another. Sometimes I look at the rock on my desk that has 3 faces on which I’ve inked the words inhale, exhale, breathe.
Reminding myself that no matter what I do or don’t do, say or don’t say, tomorrow morning the sun will rise.
Resting in the knowledge that I’ve been through lots of trials that no longer ache or sting or burn the way they did as they unfolded, I always do my best in the moment with what I have and who I am, and I will take a lesson away from whatever this is.
“…..trials that no longer ache or sting or burn the way they did as they unfolded.” I fully embrace that sentiment, Barb. Thank you.
Asking myself two primary questions. How does this situation relate to that which is most important? What is within my ability to do next?
I have been introduced to a saying: “what you practice gains strength”. So when the difficulty arises, I acknowledge it and it’s severity. After that I go to nature, do a creative activity, reach out to someone, pray, or hug a stuff animal.
Talking to others and getting different perspectives. Meditating and listening to my inner voice.
First and foremost, I call on my ancestors and claim their strength. It always calms me and reminds me that those that came before me want me to flourish. I remind myself that if I’m ruminating over my past or projecting in to the future, I go there alone because Life is always NOW. I know can always turn to music. I pop a CD in the player and I sing along, I dance around, I let my feelings out in song. It also helps to call and check on a friend. So many times, when I listen to what they are dealing with in this moment, I hear myself sharing with them the very words I need most to hear. And as I have shared here before, I try to never turn a situation into a problem.
Thank you Carol.
I really like your statement “I try to never turn a situation into a problem.” I have one of those situations right now, and this helped me reframe it. Thank you, Carol.
Just yesterday at work I started to describe something as an “issue” (with a negative connotation), then stopped and said, “Wait, that’s a situation.” Thank you for sharing that reframing previously–so helpful.
Research is something I do that is positive. Too often I overthink and worry. I do try to remember something that I was told once: Think of something hard you got through in the past and what helped you through it. Then see if you can use some of those same techniques to get through this hard time. Someone dear told me once, when she knew I would be facing sorrow soon, that I should steel myself. Maybe that is one of the reasons I spend time here.
Stop. Look. Go.
My cognitive demon is distorted thinking. Meditation, mindfulness of the present moment & repetition of a mantra help diffuse its power. Today poses challenges where I am invoking all three.