Well hello there! It’s been a really long while.
You see, I’ve had significant blogger’s block for the past couple months. I just can’t figure it out. I really enjoy writing my blog and putting my thoughts into the universe. Even more so, I love when random people tell me they read my most recent post and how they related to it, or what it made them think. But lately, I just haven’t had the inspiration, dedication or motivation to sit down and write something blog-worthy. As a matter of fact, I haven’t even really been journaling all that much either. I guess it’s just a general trend in non-writing that seems to have me stuck. Luckily for me, I’m a life and wellness coach so I have lots of tools to get me out of a funk…when I put them to use!
Today I’m taking a different spin. Since I don’t have a lot to write about, I thought I’d pull out my conscious conversations card deck, pick a few cards at random, and answer the questions as they come up.
Card 1: How can you be more compassionate with yourself and others?
I can be more compassionate by recognizing my own bias, judgement and expectations, and recognizing that those are not the rules by which I, or others need to live. I can decide to be a different version of myself on any given day. I can try to see differing perspectives. I can be gentle with myself and others when things might not go as planned. I can try to understand where others are coming from. I can remind myself that everyone is doing the best with what they have, and ever person has a different life experience. I can remind myself that I am doing my best, and some days are better than others, but it’s all okay. I can withhold negative statements about others or self-deprecating ones. I can see myself and others as being love, and being in need of love. I can remind myself that we are all human beings.
Card 2: How much screen time do you have in a day? How can you reduce it?
Oh Lawdy! The answer to this question is: Too. Damn. Much! I do not have an app that measures my screen time but I already know that it’s excessive. I use my phone for functional tasks like banking, checking the weather, and responding to emails. I am aware that if I only used my cellphone for the tools it was designed for, I would be on it much, much less than I am now. But I also use it as an escape, a tool for distraction, a way of entertaining myself, and I always find myself down a rabbit hole of social media. How can I reduce it? Well, I’ve had good success in the past with having cellphone sabbaticals and it was really great. I taught myself how to self-soothe again without the need for a screen, find other ways to conquer boredom, and be more engaged in my life. In fact, this was a great question and one I really needed to reflect upon. I’m not sure how I went from cellphone sabbaticals to being glued to my device again within a one-year time frame. Looks like I’ve got some work to do. Thanks, Universe!
Card 3: Why should we stop complaining and see the world more positively?
This is a good one. I’ve read a lot of information about how the brain works, and I’m well-aware that we are hard-wired for negativity. Why? Well, because our ancestors needed to be aware of when things were not going right in order to survive the harsh conditions of their lives. While we as a society have adapted, our brains continue to be wired to see the negative, as a survival mechanism, even though we are not in harm’s way. If we go from complaining to focusing on the positive, we can take ourselves from surviving to thriving. The other thing to consider is the old neurological saying: neurons that wire together, fire together! This means the more we practice a habit, the better we get at it. So if we are practicing complaining, it becomes our default reaction. BUT, if we can catch ourselves being about to complain and reframe it into something more positive, we are starting to create neural pathways that will start to get stronger at focusing on the positive. With more practice, we get better at seeing the positive; we actually start to notice more good things going on around us, and it makes us feel better in the end. Plus, there is no shortage on negative news stories, bad politics, and hate in the world. It just makes natural sense to me, that if I can’t change the world, I can change myself, and that might have an impact on others around me. So I really should start focusing more on the good, and re-wire my brain for positivity: it’s good for us all!
OK last one. Card 4: Who are you at your core without titles, accomplishments, or roles?
This is a loaded question, but since I created these cards and wrote these questions, I’m lucky to have an answer already: I am light. I am love. Even if I might have dark humour and be cynical in my day-to-day life, that is not who I am at my core. I’m more than just a coach, or a wife, or a daughter, or an occupational therapist. My essence, my soul, is pure. It is light and love at its core and that is who I am. Just like you, and every other human being in the universe.
Now it’s your turn. How might you answer these questions for yourself?
And so it is.
If you are looking for some guidance answering intellectual questions that might guide you to more wellness and an improved quality of life, please contact me to see how we can work together.
Because together, we rise.