“I am free to make plans, and change them”
Say this thought to yourself little and often throughout the day. Or may be wait until you can enjoy a nap or its bedtime.
Write it, draw it, meditate on it. Stick a Post It on a mirror. Set yourself a reminder on your phone if you’d like to.
Practicing this thought throughout the day will help you notice this sequence and support you to navigate daily life in many ways.
As many of you know, one of Alexander’s major discoveries about us mammals is that the relationship of the head and spine govern the coordination of the rest of us. Yes – all of us! Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual – we don’t separate – its all one thing – our Self.
Path of Life – by Marianda Twydell – my sister
“I am free to make plans (and change them)”
This week the topic is on food and eating. This is the focus. And mostly, it is about how we look after ourselves so we can do what we like to do, without excess tension or strain. How we can live more harmoniously and naturally with the mind, body, emotions and spiritual life that we have been given. By taking care of our mindset, – our very thoughts can help steer us towards better health, improving your wellbeing and calm – so you can do what You need to do and love to do.
Yesterday I wrote about setting an intention for each meal and working one meal at a time. So that worked well for me.
And I realise it wasn’t the whole story – I had actually done some food prep before hand.
Perhaps you know the phrase – when you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail ?
One step which helps me eat better, is pre-ordering a fruit and veg box. Thanking an earlier version of myself, I had already set this up with the local organic box delivery scheme that is Beanies Wholefood in Sheffield earlier this year. I have fresh fruit and veg boxes and some other groceries delivered to my door each week.
I often make a big pot of very veggie soup each week and eat if for lunch a few times, freeze one, and take one out of the freezer so I get some variety.
This week I have made some hummus – very simple – a can of chickpeas – a little garlic, lemon juice and tahini (smooshed sesame seeds) and a little water in a blender.
Every day I make a fruit salad, mixed in a bowl and have some for breakfast and pudding, and perhaps in a smoothie too with added salad and greens. Doing all this fruit prep in one go makes it less of a hassle and makes it more likely I will use the ingredients later in the day because they are ready and I like to eat them fresh.
And sometimes I change my mind – and that’s ok too!
“I am free to make plans (and change them)”
How can we do something similar with ourselves? How can we prepare ourselves for success before we do an activity? How can we prepare our mind and muscles without tensing or fixing?
This is at the core of the Technique.
In what ways can you prepare yourself for success – and leave yourself free to change your mind at any time?
“I am free to make plans (and change them)”
The other element of preparing – is to look at what we don’t need to do, what is unhelpful and how we can refrain from this activity. Its a hugely necessary part of the equation. I’m thinking of leaving the extra chocolate bars in the shop so I don’t have the decisions to make once I get home. I’m thinking about how to say No to the excess tension in my jaw and neck-spine before I make the next choice or do the next action.
I love hearing what you are enjoying about these daily writings and how your are benefitting and applying this in your lives. lucyascham@hotmail.com
This week’s focus on food was requested by one of my clients, and I am sure this will be useful for many of you to consider too. If you have any requests, please ask!
If you’d like to feedback about your experiments with any of these email ideas, why not get in touch and ask me in person. The first 15 minutes is free!
