In the throes of life’s challenges it’s especially difficult to be “present” to the moment. And the pain and suffering felt in the here and now is often due to some situation or experience from the past. The problem with this (ruminating over the past) is that our future looks bleak too: “If today sucks so bad what’s tomorrow going to bring?” is the thinking. This thinking limits us from seeing a bright future and causes us to succumb to the role of victim, today, in this moment.
Being hungry growing up I stopped looking forward to tomorrow—dreading another day without food. Oftentimes, I’d just go to bed to sleep it (the pangs of hunger) off. It never worked. Going dormant for a while helped a little but it wasn’t lasting. My belly still growled when I woke up.
It’s the same when dealing with any sort of suffering—hunger or otherwise. You’ve got to hunt for “food” or ask someone to help you find it if you want to survive, if you don’t want to be the victim and starve.
The “starving” can be caused by any issue that’s got a hold on you, anything that’s preventing you from living your best self. You might not even know what your “best self” life looks like but to find it you’ve got to go looking for it. Going into hibernation (because it’s a scary world out there!) might help for a little while, but you need some sustenance when you come to. You need some “food.”
That’s what my books, The Eight Aspects of God, A Pathway to Bliss, (Nov. 2012) and It’s Not About You, How to Stop Taking Things Personally by Taking Personal Responsibility (soon to be released) are about. Helping you on your hunt!
Please join me on Tuesday, April 16th, on The Anthony Hidalgo Show, to discuss The Eight Aspects of God, and again May 4th and 5th at East West Bookshop of Seattle to see if any of the tools I’ve used to feed myself can feed you.
We’re all doing the best we can on any given day, but reaching out for support is a necessary part of finding our way through all the muck. I believe that as we find ways to help ourselves, we are obligated to pass this knowledge forward—each doing our little part to feed the world, by feeding one another.
Supper’s ready! Let’s eat.
Supper’s Ready! Let’s Eat.
Breathing for Stress Reduction
Reduce stress as you cultivate a sense of balance and peace. Using just a few simple breathing techniques experience:
Breathing techniques may include:
· Even-count Breathing
· Alternate Nostril Breathing
· The Breath of Fire
· The Full Yogic Breath
· The Circle of Joy
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WHEN: Weekdays | WHERE: Your Location (ex: Office, School, Medical Center, Community Center)
To Schedule: email: info@seattleenergymedicine.com | phone 206.708.3277
~ Ruthie Stender
Using The MBS Scan as A New Year’s Accountability Tool
We’re well into the first month of the new year and by now, if you’re anything like me, the enthusiasm for those New Year resolutions have lost a little steam. I’ve heard that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. That means you can’t let up on your plan—no matter what—if you want to make the new habit last. I didn’t even make through the first week! And my powerful habit of not exercising has over-ridden my intention of creating the new habit of getting outside for a least a short walk most days of the week.
My problem is that if I don’t move my body, everything else seems to suffer—a lot! Even if that movement is scrubbing the bathroom floor, it makes a huge difference in how I feel. I take on a pissy attitude, my brain feels fuzzy, and I get into a funk if I don’t move. In this depressing and irritating state of mind, I tend to skip meditating and not practice yoga; two things that have proven to be very good for me. I’ve learned that all of me—mind, body, and spirit—benefits when I move my body. And even though I KNOW THIS I still can’t seem to stick with it sometimes.
And so I’ve decided to give it another try. But this time, I thought to use the MBS Scan—an exercise I use with clients—to hold myself accountable. I am using it to set an in intention in the morning with a focus on each element—mind, body, spirit—and then as a review at the end of the day to see how I did.
Here’s an example of one of my recent daily MBS Scans:
Morning: Set an intention and write it down.
- Mind: Today, I will have a “do it anyway” attitude! No matter what!
- Body: It’s sunny today so I will go for a walk (even though I don’t want to).
- Spirit: I will take some time during my walk to be still. Maybe sit on a bench or under a tree and meditate.
Evening: review.
- Mind: Did I stick to my “do it anyway” plan today. Where did I slip up? Yes, I did it!
- Body: How did it affect the rest of my day? I was more productive when I got home from my walk. I made a big dent in the pile of laundry, cleaned the kitchen and got in three hours of writing! A good day.
- Spirit: Did I take a little time to be still? Did I feel more centered? Yes, the fresh air was wonderful as I sat with one of my favorite trees down by the lake.
When you do this, write it down in a notebook so you can track your ups and downs. The above example is one of my “up” days but, trust me, there’s some “down” days too. Just note them, get mad at yourself for a minute or two if you must, but then let it go. And commit to keep moving! Tomorrow is a new day.
“I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day.” – Abraham Lincoln