Kindness to self

This morning I had the wonder of waking up next to the ocean.  Taking my cuppa, I wandered along the beach, the new days sun warming me through. 

A deep feeling of gratitude and happiness came over me.

It got me pondering.  In these crazy times, how many of us are standing in the very moment and recognising all that is amazing.  How many of us are remembering to stop and breath, deeply.  Grounding into Papatūānuku, allowing her to hold us, even for a brief while.

There’s an old saying ‘where your focus goes, energy flows.’   In other words, consider what you are bringing (potentially without realising it) into your life.

What are you reading?  What are you watching?  What are you hearing?  What are you feeding?  Fear or Hope?  Draining or Uplifting?  Division or Unity?  Apathy or Empathy?
 
Or are you just plain over it all?

I ask at this time, because I am seriously concerned about the (mental) health and well-being of Kiwi’s.  I’m concerned about mid to long term impacts, particularly for our children.

It feels that this feeling of fear, that manifests in many different guises, is really heightened at the moment, with what is happening in our own country and around the world.

It’s not that there hasn’t always been challenges, always been something to worry us.  There has and potentially always will be – if we choose.

I think one of the greatest things we can do as individuals is learn to only focus on what we can control.  And yep, this is an oldy too.  But worth reiterating.

Putting energy (worry) into things you can’t control can create unwanted outcomes, including ill-health.  We can’t control what others think, do, feel.  We can’t control world events. We can’t control the weather.

It’s worth noting that we can choose (consciously or unconsciously) to allow others to control us.  And, yes of course, we can manipulate and be manipulated.  This tends to only work for so long before consequences reveal themselves.  Free will and all that.

If we focus on things we can control, mainly our (re) actions, then we can do something about it.  Whether this be recognising unhealthy patterns (and addressing this), what makes us happy (doing more of this!) or just holding the awareness within ourselves (without feeding it).

I know there is a LOT going on at the moment.  I’m not saying put your head in the sand and hope it all goes away.  What I am encouraging is to take a moment to just be in the moment.  To focus on all that is right in your world.

Allow this feeling to fill you.  To calm you.  To hold you.

Also, maybe take a moment to consider what you are allowing into your thoughts, your mind.  ‘Being healthy’ isn't just about our physical being, it’s our mental too.

If you’re struggling to find sunshine in your day, please, please reach out.  There is so many people that care for you.  Truth.

You do have a choice in all this. 

​In aroha.