“I am free to notice what I am enjoying”
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.
I am fully aware that its the end of March 2020 and many of us are in lockdown, staying at home for our own safety and with care and consideration for others. We are not in prison. We are not being forced to do this. It is strongly advised and the reasons for social distancing are clear. Does it change things to think about this is a choice – and one of care for each other? It does for me.
I am still not listening to the news, beyond the headlines, and my head is quite happy with that. Inside my head is a comfortable place to be right now. I’m sad that this is clearly not the case for many people, and yet honestly, I feel very fortunate in many ways.
Today’s thought it this:
“I am free to notice what I am enjoying”
It can be hard for some of us to allow ourselves to enjoy anything right now. I am not unaware of the situation we are in, strange and sudden changes on many levels for many people. Things we took for granted even yesterday or last week have altered beyond recognition for some of you, and me.
My work life has changed in ways which were almost unimaginable a month ago. I have spent 3 years training to share the principles and discoveries of FM Alexander who had the technology of working through coaching and touch. Now that touch has to be self-touch during Skype lessons, the emphasis goes into coaching.
I hear people’s worries, anxieties, fears, aches and pains daily. This is real, and big and tough.
And at the same time – we can choose to notice things to enjoy right now. I have a huge long list.
I am not denying the pain and suffering a great many people have. I am not trying to put my head in the sand. I am trying to be more in charge of where my mind goes, and steer it to notice What Is OK Right Now?
If I go from one to the other, bringing my full attention to both extremes, then I can be more fully alive. I am not trying to squeeze myself into the ‘there is only suffering and fear’ end of the scale. I can visit this. Sometimes I am dragged there for minutes at a time. This is natural – we are social beings. We are hard-wired to need other warm, furry mammals to hang out with, touch, be close with, kiss and cuddle with.
I have had a couple of days of a full-body headache. Every part of me felt tight and clenched. Talking with a friend in NZ helped enormously.
AND here we are, many in isolation, some in close confines with people they don’t always find easy for a long stretch of time. Some far away for others we would love to be with. Its all true.
AND What do you want to notice more of?
This can be a conscious choice. And one we can practice so it becomes more available to us more of the time.
What is your intention? I intend to be present, here and now – I intend to Trust.
What are three things that you are enjoying right now? – just ask the question – see what, and if anything comes up, don’t dig, or search – just ask simply and lightly – what am I enjoying right now?
For me – the heated throw, the warm slippers and a fully tummy of salad and soup.
And I ask my brain to search for things which I enjoyed during the day.
For many years I have practiced this with my son, we call these our Enjoys.
One thing I enjoyed that I did for myself, or by myself.
One thing I did for someone else, a shared moment, contribution.
One thing I did with someone else.
These 3 things have been a life-line for me for many nighttimes. This ritual often brings up the opposites too.
Of course, other thoughts and memories pop up, and I can meet them in this present moment, knowing that right now I am safe and have somewhere comfy to rest my head, and my torso and limbs. The ‘if only’s’ come roaring to the foreground – yes I say, I know… and I meet them here and now, staying connected closely with my body and breathing – simply noticing and staying on the inside of my experience.
“I am free to notice what I am enjoying”
Please email me on lucyascham@hotmail.com if there are any topics you would like me to cover or if there is anything I can do to help.
Have fun with this. Take yourself out of automatic, and get thinking consciously and constructively.
