LIVING IN TURBULENT TIMES

We are living in such a challenging time!

But hasn’t the human condition always been challenging?  

As Charles Dickens wroteIn the famous first line of his book, A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

 

So how do we live through the worst of times and turn it back into the best of times?

 

When we pay attention to the news about our government, and the tremendous human suffering, climate disasters, and injustices, we can become disheartened. 

Plus, having a human body means that sometimes or even all the time, something isn’t working properly. There are aches and pains and worries about real or perceived frightening health outcomes.

 The people who we love the most, sometime act as if they no longer love us.  We worry that we won’t have enough, or do enough, or be enough to be accepted or even be able to live.  We worry about our finances and we worry what others think of us.

 All we want really is to be heard, loved and accepted for who we really are.   We feel lonely, isolated and disconnected, because actually we are. 

 

Imagine a huge ocean of universal energy, and as a huge boulder is thrown into the water, beautiful individual tiny droplets of water spray up and out into the air. That’s us!  That’s our life! We are just flying for a few brief seconds into the air alone until we reunite with the vast energy again. And even though it really is our time to fly, and even if it really is for such a brief instant in time, and even if it really is our time to have free choice,  we still yearn to be reunited with the beautiful energy home from which we came.

 

So, how do we deal with the tremendous turmoil, anxiety ,frustrations, and real fears that are a real part of our everyday lives? 

 

First, realize that EVERYONE IS STRUGGLING In SOME WAY.  You are not alone in this, so remember to be kind.

 

Second, use your tools!  Use your breath. Calm and reassure yourself with deep abdominal breaths, ALWAYS through your nose.  Try slowing the exhale.  If you pretend that you have a little mirror in front of you that you are trying to fog up as you exhale, you can experience the catch in the back of your throat.  Use that throat catch (with an open or closed mouth) to exhale very slowly. This type of breathing engages the vagus nerve.

It is the longest nerve in your body and it affects all of your endocrine glands which regulate many of the body’s hormones and functions.  Calming yourself is the important thing.  Another one of my favorite ways to engage the vagus nerve is to cup your chin and cheeks with your hands, with your wrists touching under your chin with most of your fingers resting comfortably on your cheeks, and the pointer fingers in the little duvets behind the ear lobes.

I have many wonderful techniques to try in part four of my book, “Empath is not a Four Letter Word” . Especially explore the “freak out frenzy” exercise on page 122, and the neurovascular holds on page 117.  Basically, neurovascular holds begin with just bringing your hand to your forehead and holding it there either alone or with the other hand holding another part of your head.  It is amazing how much relief you can get by just holding your forehead while breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, as if you are smelling a rose with the inhale, and then blowing out a candle with your exhale.

I suggest you experiment and see which techniques work best for you. Remember, that we are all individual and so everyone must find their own comfort. But please remember also that you are a unique gift that the world needs right now.  

Third, find your outlets. What makes you feel better?

Everyone is different, and you know yourself the best.  Some people just need to exercise or move in any way.

Other people find that combining exercise and being outside helps. Connecting with nature in anyway is helpful for others.  For you it may be meditating or praying to connect to a higher power.  Art or simply doodling helps many people.  Your outlet might be writing or calling a friend or cooking or even cleaning. Many people have musical outlets.

 

Fourth, the trick is to remain in the present moment, no matter what is going on.  Breathe, and try to get out of the spin of going over and over the problem. Pay attention to where you are and what you are doing. Remain in the present, not the dead past or the imagined future. Keep breathing slowly.  Try moving your body or walking.  Try to think of WHAT IS RIGHT ABOUT THIS SITUATION?  List all of the things that are going right.  Think of all the things that you are grateful for. You will be shocked at how many blessings you have.  Appreciate what you DO have.

 

Remember, we are all in this together. I would love to know how you get yourself out of the spin. Add a comment below if you like.

Thank you for reading this article.

You are so very loved.

Sandy