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The past few weeks on my blog it’s been all about the power of simplifying different areas of our lives. Last week was about our physical environment and today I’d like to take a leap over to simplifying our “inner environment.”
So let’s start with a question….
What is your #1 roadblock to inner peace?
For me, it’s stress.
Stress accumulates within my body, mind, and soul from:
* guilt & regret over things I’ve said or done
* criticism & judgment of myself & others
* unresolved conflict within myself & with others
As we all know, stress is a huge roadblock to well-being. It causes anxiety, sleepless nights, and if prolonged, physical health issues.
So where do we start? For me, it goes something like this:
Sit Still vs. Run Away
Think about the last time you had an unpleasant feeling. Maybe it was guilt, sadness, loneliness, or anger. Did you acknowledge it or run into the arms of chips & dip, a glass of wine, Fox News, or Instagram? What about trying instead to say “hello… I see you… I hear you” to the parts of ourselves that are in dire need of attention? Sitting in stillness with compassion to whatever thoughts or feelings arise has a way of melting them away and much of the stress as well. When we go within ourselves in moments of stillness, it’s simply a route to clarity by clearing out the “noise” within our heads.
Watch The Intake
What are you ingesting each day in the form of food, beverages, social media, tv shows, and other people’s energy? Becoming super aware of what builds your energy versus burns it is helpful in making upgraded choices in what we ingest and allow into our lives. A great tool to use when faced with what to eat, who to socialize with, what activities to participate in is to ask yourself the question “Is this an act of loving myself or running from myself?”
Ground Yourself In The Now
I was introduced to Eckhart Tolle’s work years ago and love his book, The Power of Now. It really shifted for me and millions of other readers away from the past or future and into the present moment. I’ve found that staying in the “what if’s” and “could of, would of, should of” causes feelings of depression while racing ahead to tomorrow causes anxiety… so why not trying settling into right here, right now? Consciously release the desire to figure out what to do about XYZ situation and instead take baby steps of tapping into what feels right at this moment… and most importantly trust yourself.
I recently heard Oprah say she was asked to define her religion. Her answer was so simple I just had to share:
“Kindness & Stillness”
So just for today, be okay with the stillness and choose to be kind to yourself and others. That’s when things begin to flow and stress has a way of moving away and what is left is the space for who you truly are. It’s really the path to coming home to you.
XO,
Meg
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