First day of fall. School has started (Zoom kindergarten is a blessing and a curse). Schedules are changing, becoming more busy, even despite the pandemic. The crescendo of political, social, and global noise is getting louder.
Leaves are changing.
Things are always changing. I don't know about you, but for me it's easy to get caught up in the momentum of this motion of change to the degree that it becomes impossible to avoid feeling constantly rushed, out of time, and strained. Ever find yourself asking, "When can a person take a breather?!"
I think once we realize that there is a possibility of stillness IN the change, we will find our mooring against the tides of change. We can skillfully navigate all the vicissitudes of life by creating a grounded seat from which all this change may happen around us without making us lose our center.
With a grounded relationship to change, you'll find yourselves not only able to navigate change but even thriving with change.
Here are a few ideas to help us stay grounded amidst change.
Simple Meditation Technique
Find a quiet place where you can possibly be undisturbed for a few moments (sometimes this is sitting in your car). Sit comfortably and set a timer for 10 minutes. Close your eyes and begin to count your exhales. If your mind wanders or you lose your count, start over with the counting. The objective is not to count to some outrageously high number, but rather to continue to come back to center when you leave. We all wander so there's no judgment when you do. Try doing this every day. You may want to extend the time to 15, 20, or 30 minutes.
Get Outside
Make a point to go on a gentle walk and leave your phone behind. Find the joy in walking for the sake of walking. Inform yourself of the natural world and notice the trees, sky, flowers, etc. Wallace Stevens said, "Perhaps the truth depends upon a walk around the lake." When placing yourself in nature, you often remind yourself both of life's natural cycles as well as your own belonging to this beautiful and complex world.
Find an Online Yoga or Meditation Class
Find an online yoga class to class or roll out your mat and begin to move and breathe. I teach a few classes a week (including one today at 12 pm MDT) which you can join virtually and/or watch the recordings later. I also teach one class a week at Mosaic Yoga (Mon. 5:30 pm) where you can join live with a responsible socially-distanced protocol.
If you're practicing poses on your own, match your breath with the poses that your body seems to crave. If you’re practicing on your own, don't worry about practicing for a certain amount of time, just practice whatever feels the most natural. Allow your body the pleasure of gently warming up then release tensions with some long, slow, deep stretches. Give yourself several moments to rest in savasana and then go about your day.
With some help is keeping us grounded, we'll find ourselves ready to meet the changes that are unfolding.