April 19, 2013

How to Rest during a Challenge

Filed under: Reconnection — Deb @ 4:34 pm

It can be hard to think about resting, never mind actually resting when you are faced with a challenge.  The 100 Day Challenge is coming down to the last few weeks and you may be tired of your challenge, tired of trying to keep up with it or tired of not seeing the results that you hoped for.

 

This can be the experience of any challenge we face in life.  Often the advice is to just keep fighting, keep plowing through it, suck it up and keep pushing…not wrong advice in general but somehow, it lacks some balance for me.  We are far too quick to think that we must keep pushing when resting is the very thing that will help us to make it to the end.

 

There is tremendous power in resting but we never stop long enough to experience that power.  Resting is when we receive guidance and inspiration about what to do next.  Resting is when we regenerate and build our reserves so that challenges become slightly less challenging.

 

How do you rest when you are in a challenge?

v  First, give yourself permission to rest.  This step alone will give you more energy than you ever thought possible.  Resisting yourself and your need for rest is a BIG energy drain.  Start with permission.

v  Next is to change your thoughts.  Stop beating yourself down, judging yourself and telling yourself you are failing.  Judgemental, spirit bashing thoughts are exhausting, NOT motivating.  Stop them right now and in exchange think more restful and supportive thoughts.

v  Then look for times in your day when you can take a break.  Maybe it’s two minutes, maybe it’s 5 minutes, maybe there’s occasionally time for a 20 minute nap.  Can you sit instead of stand?  Can you put your feet up while you work?  Can you play restful music or reduce the noise that surrounds you.  Can you simplify something that you are doing?  Simply closing your eyes for 30 seconds begins to regenerate energy in your body!

 

Rest is not just about sleeping.  Rest includes the way you think about yourself and your situation, your belief that you deserve to rest and looking for small ways to take breaks through your day.  Of course, building in nap time everyday is a pretty good idea too!

 

Share your ideas here for ways that you like to add rest to your day.  You’ll be an inspiration to more of us who need to rest!

 

Joyfully,

 

Deb

 

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April 4, 2013

It’s Time to Come Alive!

Filed under: Reconnection — Deb @ 7:12 pm

The calendar indicates that spring has officially arrived.  As I look at the two feet of snow in my backyard, it seems like there was some miscommunication between the calendar and Mother Nature!  For now, the best thing I can think to do is to welcome the energy of spring and trust that the physical spring will show up soon!

The long, dark winter months were a time for reflection and going inward.  It’s a time for slowing down and resting so that when spring arrives you will have the energy and the inspiration to plant the seeds of something new.  As we move from the dark into the light, what is ready to come to life inside you?  What are you being called to “give birth to?”  What inklings, ideas and dreams have been whispering to you on those long, dark winter days?

I know for me there is a definite longing to shed the heaviness of winter and create more of a “spring” in my step!  Now is the time to align with the energy of spring.  Allow the waking up of nature to support you in waking up to what needs to come alive in you.  You are here for a purpose and this is the perfect time to plant the seeds and nurture that purpose to life!

I can’t wait to see what comes alive for you…  Happy Spring!

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