Not everyone has the time or resources to sit in the warmth of the Caribbean and gaze at turquoise to let the mind unravel its quirks and obsessions of the last few rather unusual years. We can do it, sometimes even more effectively, right where we are in our daily routines. Here are some ideas:
1. Get up early. If you read this blog regularly, you know I am a great proponent of ‘morning pages’, that pouring out of the mind and subconscious onto the page the messes our lives have become and/or the beauty we are astonished by.
‘Morning pages’ are not enough to help guide us to our true north. We need a spiritual practice.
Set aside time to read words that nourish the spirit like mindfulness practices by Thich Nhat Han or the psalms from the bible. Have a yoga or qigong practice. This helps us ‘get out of ourselves’ and tune into a rhythm much bigger than we are.
2. Flip a negative attitude into a smirk. Sometimes what we see as defeats like an illness, loss or circumstance can be a mighty way to cultivate greater virtue in our lives: compassion, hospitality, patience, or just plain being more tolerant and open minded.
Try training your mind for a day (tomorrow?) to see your defeats as blessings.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes we can be so proud. We don’t want to ask for the help we are screaming for. Others can often see clearly what we want to keep secret.
Take a chance and muster up the courage to reach out.
4. Use your gifts. Are you rich in money or talent? Are you a good listener, baker, singer, or dancer? Use one gift you’ve been granted to help someone else.
5. Bloom where you are planted. I don’t like cliches, but these 5 words cannot be better said.
Try to use this time of year to be still, draw inward and reflect. Find what works for you so that come springtime, you will have more spring in your step.
