Many of us strive to be our highest selves, yet this world gets in the way. We are constantly bombarded by questions, tasks, chores, and daily demands, which clog up our nervous system and increase our anxiety. We start moving throughout the day in a hurry, without intention, trying to stay ahead or at least not fall behind. In doing so, we lose ourselves; we lose our essence. We lose our desire to be who we know we are inside.
So the question becomes, how do we come back to love? Not just love for another, but love for ourselves, love for the community, and love for this planet? The answer is simple but not easy; the answer is to slow down. There are many ways to do this, yet all involve intention and appreciating the simple miracles that are abundant around us.
Breathe
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts”
As we move throughout the day, our breath may become shallow and quick. We are not using the full capacity of our lungs nor bringing the breath all the way into our belly. When we intentionally bring our mind to our breath, we almost immediately deepen it without effort. In deepening the breath, we may release stress, decrease our blood pressure and heart rate, and help to manage symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
If anytime you notice any stress, pause and take 5 deep, slow breaths. You may notice your shoulders relax; your heart opens, your jaw releases, and your mind begins to settle so you can be your true self. This will clear the energy that threatens to take you off track from who you want to be.
Mediate
“When your world moves too fast, and you lose yourself in the chaos, introduce yourself to each color of the sunset. Reacquaint yourself with the earth beneath your feet. Thank the air that surrounds you with every breath you take. Find yourself in the appreciation of life.”
~Christy Ann Martine
Meditation is a form of mindfulness and can impact every part of your life, both while you are meditating and when you are walking around the world. For most of us, we are constantly ruminating about what happened before and worrying about what may happen in the future. We are not living in the true present, which is the only place the life unfolds. It has been shown that the practice of meditation changes brain chemistry, slows down thoughts, decreases heart rate and blood pressure, improves concentration, and works to reduce anxiety and stress.
Although for many, the term meditation connotes sitting quietly in a crossed-legged position with your eyes closed, there are actually many ways to bring meditation into your life. For the next week, try sitting on your porch with a cup of coffee and simply observing the nature around you or really feeling the water touch your skin as you shower, pausing for a moment to observe and reflect on that feeling. Meditation does not need to be complicated or a form of self-discipline; it is the act of clearing the mind so that you can hear your heart speak. Find your path and notice what opens up for you.
Hydrate
“The sage who wants to change the world must look towards the water. When water is uncontaminated, men’s hearts are upright. When water is pure, the people’s hearts are at ease.” ~Chuang – Tzu
We are constantly running on caffeine and adrenaline. Many forget the importance of water. Water not only quenches our thirst, but removes toxins from our body, aids in digestion and circulation, and many other bodily functions. When we do not drink enough water, we may suffer from muscle cramps, irritability, exhaustion, and the inability of our bodies to act at peak performance.
If you find you struggle to drink water, remind yourself of the purity of water as it cleanses your system, both physically and spiritually. Try placing a cup of water by your bed and drinking it first thing in the morning to cleanse your system from your night’s sleep. Or, if the taste of water is too mundane, you can place lemon or apple cider vinegar and lime in a bottle. Once you begin drinking more water, your body will not only thank you but will begin to crave more, and you’ll find it easy to hydrate throughout the day.
Nourish
“Your body adapts to what you eat. Your mind adapts to what you consume. Your soul adapts to what you love. What you feed yourself today is who you become tomorrow.” ~ James Clear
There is a link between our spiritual self and our human body. As we nourish our soul, we must also nourish our body. This also takes intention. In the fast-paced world, we live in, it is easy to grab a quick snack that will elevate our blood sugar and keep us moving. By eating poorly, we may suffer from brain fog, weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and a myriad of physical diseases. These issues create toxicity within us and do not provide the nutrients necessary to keep us a clear channel for love.
Instead, care for your body as you would care for another. Contemplate what would best serve your health each day and challenge yourself to eat a diet full of colors and dense with nutrients.
To be a clear channel, we must intentionally clear the toxins out of our life. There is so much freedom and joy when inner peace rules our hearts. This world, if we allow it, drives us to the point of self-abandonment. Yet, this life is a treasure. The work is to remember the joy we can feel simply by being. The above exercises should remind you of what you can accomplish when you live your life with intention.
The quality of our life is within our power. We can choose to take the easy way out and stay in the repeated cycles or choose to live consciously. Choose to breathe, eat properly, drink cleansing water, and be present at the moment.
The choice is yours. You are a miracle. You are worthy. You are divine.
by Susie Schroeder
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