"AND"
Living fully without falling apart.
Have you ever felt stretched? Like your existing bandwidth is being tested and tensed without you necessarily consenting to that happening? Yah, me either (lol).
This is the state that I am meeting you in right now. It’s a little weird and borders on “off-putting” to write or to read about someone undergoing life eventfulness but if there is one thing I am unwilling to compromise on- it’s telling the truth, the truthful way.
So about the truth. I am spending countless of my hours giving care to a parent with a hefty prognosis and although I would not wish to be anywhere than by daddio’s side in these times.. I am noticing compromise. Compromise as a negative effect can lead to low vibrational thinking, whereas compromise as a relatively positive effect can lead to a call to appreciative action.
There are moments where the compromise dresses my entire mind with resistance and whiny sentiments, I’ll be honest enough to admit my humanness. In all other moments, I am striving to implement this practice of “And”, the only thing bridging the gap between my overwhelm and my peace.
The “And” Practice
Firstly, let me give credit where it is due. This exercise was gifted in a sunday ritual email newsletter, much time ago by @greybackclub .
To practice this method, begin by identifying and naming the feeling that is disturbing your peace, presence or rhythm. Think of this as a “name it to tame it” tactic. Once we are able to recognize the source of our disturbance, the authority that the feeling once held over us, tends to surrender or dissipate altogether.
The next step in this practice is to name something that you are thankful for as a follow-up. This is not to invalidate the disturbance, so much as it is to help you choose an elevated thought of gratitude to leave you with a higher-vibrational impression.
Example:
“I feel like I can not control my state of stress despite my trying” AND “I am grateful to have this much time to spend in daddio’s presence”
“I feel like I am not productive” AND “I am grateful that the most important work is being completed”
It is no magical turn around but it does elevate the moment. An elevated moment in a disorienting time, feels like a true luxury. Try the practice, if only to cultivate more presence and gratitude.
This month’s “Just the Hard Stuff” is coming to you from my parents living room, rejigged into an informal yoga studio. You’ll notice my compromised lungs and a brief acknowledgment of so, along with multiple more imperfections.
As you already know, truthfulness is the way and authenticity is the theme of all that I offer. You are invited to cultivate the same qualities as you move onto your mat or into your journaling ritual.
Listen to yourself.
Pay generous attention to your physical home as you ask it to move in particular ways so that you feel closer to yourselves in practice, not disconnected or disrespected.
Listen to yourself.
Pause and allow thought and insights to surface before you skip the reflective work.
Listen to yourself.
Let there be space in the day to attune to your state. It need not be long stretches of time, but enough moments to feel into the reality.
Tell the truth to yourself, from yourself and AS yourself to land back into your heart. Live out the moment or the day from that place of heart-centeredness to claim your best *current* version of the illusive “balance”.
This week’s freebie movement practice is on the gentler side if we are to compare it to previous practices. It’s not gentle gentle, but also nowhere near the spiciness we sometimes move to. What you can expect to see and experience:
Creative push-up variations
ACTUAL STRETCH!
Hip stability and stamina (aka, unassisted lunges 😎)
Shoulder stability via side planks
Butt lifting moves
Rhythmic balancing
Grab your journal..
Or if you’re commuting, consider having an aloud conversation with yourself in the car, reflecting within your mind or even voice noting your responses. Do not let yourselves forget that you have always, and will always deserve your attention and intentional living, even amidst life’s “life-iness”.
What am I seeking to avoid by pushing through discomfort, instead of approaching it with curiosity?
What am I truly seeking right now, and why?
What do I need to take care of myself today?
Because of your devotion to yourself-
Our world gets to be a slightly more peaceful place.
Stay well little loves,
Mar xx