There is always going to be chaos and unrest in the world around us; it is just the way it is. We can make a choice to get caught up in the tension and the unruliness, and make ourselves "crazy". Or, we can accept the world as it is, making changes where possible, taking action where possible, but maintaining our balance in the process.
Easier said than done! That balance and calm in the eye of the storm is an elusive goal. I teach meditation and stress reduction techniques, and even I find it difficult to stay centered sometimes. When my clients are going through a rough time, how I wish I had a magic wand to wave over them to make it "all better". But, we don't live in Gan Eden anymore, and somehow, we need to make it though the travails of human living.
If you are having a rough time, see if you can get out of your own way for a moment by taking a deep breath, giving yourself a hug, and let the wave pass over you. Do that again. And one more time. The world is still there when you open your eyes, but maybe you feel a little more uplifted.... and don't forget that HaShem is with you every moment.
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Showing posts with label clarity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clarity. Show all posts
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Listen with the EAR in your H-EAR-T
How do you know when you are getting in your own way? How do you know it's you, and not the universe that is making life difficult? What are the signals or coincidences that occur to clue you in?
For me, it's when I feel that I am spinning my wheels, or making this long, seemingly uphill climb and not seeing any signs that I am getting closer to my goal. I also get very snippy with people, and that's a big clue for me that I am not tending to my needs and probably doing too much for other people, or just doing too much and not giving myself enough rest and time out. When I start to feel like a victim and I hear myself say things that I don't say when I'm "going with the flow" then I know I need to back off.
In my counseling practice, I often see the path more clearly than my clients do, since they are often experiencing foggy vision due to their pain/fear/anger, so I have to patiently wait for their vision to clear and then help them find their answers. It's all in how we see the world and what clouds or clears our vision. It's also what we hear with the "ear" in our hearts.
For me, it's when I feel that I am spinning my wheels, or making this long, seemingly uphill climb and not seeing any signs that I am getting closer to my goal. I also get very snippy with people, and that's a big clue for me that I am not tending to my needs and probably doing too much for other people, or just doing too much and not giving myself enough rest and time out. When I start to feel like a victim and I hear myself say things that I don't say when I'm "going with the flow" then I know I need to back off.
In my counseling practice, I often see the path more clearly than my clients do, since they are often experiencing foggy vision due to their pain/fear/anger, so I have to patiently wait for their vision to clear and then help them find their answers. It's all in how we see the world and what clouds or clears our vision. It's also what we hear with the "ear" in our hearts.
Boundaries & Discernment
Purim has just passed, and Pesach is on the horizon. As with the autumn holidays, those in the spring give us plenty of chances to delve more deeply into Jewish heritage and how that affects our own growth. What can you pull from these holidays to take you through the dark and foreboding mystery, into the midst of the transitional time, and out the other side into the light and clarity? Are you where you want to be in your life, spiritually, emotionally, or in whatever way your path is taking you?
The Jewish religion and its practice are known for boundaries and discernment. How are your boundaries these days? Are you feeling strong and confident in some areas, but perhaps feel as if you're getting stepped on in other areas? Are you able to discern when you can leave your boundary more open, or when you need to pull it in tighter, depending upon the energy of the people you are spending time with?
The Jewish religion and its practice are known for boundaries and discernment. How are your boundaries these days? Are you feeling strong and confident in some areas, but perhaps feel as if you're getting stepped on in other areas? Are you able to discern when you can leave your boundary more open, or when you need to pull it in tighter, depending upon the energy of the people you are spending time with?
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