Reconnecting and Adjusting Your Speed
I had been meaning to do this for a while, both to simplify my life and my involvement online. And suddenly I just had the desire to do it and get it done. Normally I do not love doing things involving technology – it tends to make me feel very tense and stressed, but when I feel inspired to do something, I run with it.
When
I was done and new posts directing to the new page were posted, invites to the
new page sent out, I realized that I hadn’t had a decent meal all day and I
really had to pee. I was also feeling the need for my outdoor alignment time –
this is a ritual I have been adamant about keeping up with every day, weather
permitting. I have taken some time to really slow down (partly because I was
sick for a few weeks) and reconnect with my soul. I have found that the best
way to do this is to get outside – I walk barefoot in the grass and spend at
least fifteen minutes in the sun for my daily dose of vitamin D and to align with the rhythm of nature.
Most
of us are programmed by the corporate world to keep your nose to the grindstone
for at least eight to nine hours a day – and if you take too long of a break or
any break at all, you are perceived as unproductive and lazy. Our usual pattern
is to work for hours until we realize, like I did,
that we are hungry and need the bathroom. Often we will ignore these bodily
needs and continue working until our blood sugar drops and our bladder is about
to burst. The way we handle this is to grab the first food item available
(usually sugar) and make a beeline for a quick bathroom break, and then – we
run right back to our desks and continue working diligently until it’s time to
go home. Or beyond. Then we usually have to deal with traffic on the way home
and perhaps there are more responsibilities to take care of at home. We grab
another convenient item of food, maybe watch some TV, finally collapse in bed
and do it all over again the next day.
This
programming took me a long time to break free of, especially since totally
switching gears to a completely different line of work in the
self-help/personal development/ spiritual community where it is crucial that I take care of myself and
stay connected. I cannot expect to be a good coach to my clients or to the
community I serve if I am not walking my talk and honoring myself every day.
The world I operate in now consists of many other heart-centered entrepreneurs,
specializing in many different areas of personal and professional development and they all understand that this is a much different world than the
corporate world most of us came from. To be successful in this world, we need to be accountable for
staying true to ourselves and honoring our own needs first.
Regardless of which world you live in, you can always commit to making the time to honor yourself without neglecting anyone or anything. You just have to be firm about it and stick to what you find works for you.
I
have a coach who like me, came from the corporate entertainment world. I love
her stories about working in this predominantly male environment and how during
meetings she would announce that she needed to take a break and connect with
Spirit for an answer or a solution to a problem they were working on. Of course the
men didn’t understand and thought she was a bit wacky, but after coming up with
countless, perfect solutions over time, the men would come to her and ask, “Can
you go get quiet and focus on this issue?” I love it. This is where we are headed
eventually anyway, so we all might as well start learning how to connect and
receive messages from our higher selves.
Here
is what I have discovered since fully committing to making time to reconnect
with my soul out in nature every day: it is the fastest and easiest way to
readjust your energy, calm down, slow your heart rate and get into a receptive
state. There are endless inspired ideas and divine guidance that are just
waiting for us to be able to receive them – we are just usually too busy with
our daily business to hear or feel or see them. When you make the time
regularly to get into this state, can you imagine how much will come to you to
take inspired action? Who’s lazy now?? Some of the most productive, successful,
famous and wealthy people who have lived on this planet lived and worked solely
through their inspiration and their dreams. Anyone who knows me well knows that
the top of that list for me is Walt Disney...what better example of following
your dream in spite of all obstacles and everyone thinking you are crazy?
Disney is one of the largest brands in the entire world and it all started with
one man who believed in his dream. My favorite Walt Disney quote is, “If you
can dream it you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started
with a dream and a mouse.” ‘Nuf said.
When
my day gets busy, I literally feel like my engine is revving at 60mph and I feel my body getting stressed and fatigued. Then I know it’s
time to take a break. When I get outside, it takes me a good five to ten
minutes for my energy to adjust and align with that of nature…which feels more
like 5mph. But once I have slowed down and I am present, I feel totally
refreshed and reconnected to my Source energy. When you go outside, pay
attention and be fully present in the moment: feel the wind blowing on your
skin…how is it moving the trees or plants around you? Do you hear birds
singing? How many different sounds do you hear? What kind of scents are in the
air? How does the sun feel on your skin? I always feel like my body is
solar-powered and my internal battery is being recharged by the sun. Notice how your
energy has slowed and mellowed out just since beginning this paragraph. Do you
feel the difference? Take a breath and just imagine this scene if you cannot
get outside right now.
This brings up a valid point – if you have no place to go during your day to reconnect with yourself in nature, just close your eyes a few times a day and go there in your mind – it can be just as powerful.
My
point is that we all need to take a time out regularly – not just on the
weekend (and many of you don’t slow down even then…), not just when you have
vacation time (and really, let’s admit it – you still stay connected through
your phone and/or laptop and/or Blackberry…) so I’m sure you can see how
crucial it is that you make the time
for yourself, no matter what else is going on in your day or in your life, to
slow down and reconnect with the energy that created you and supports you every
day. When I do not do this, inevitably I will have some sort of meltdown
followed by illness.
Make
a commitment to doing this for a week and I guarantee you will feel the
difference, and you will not be any less productive – probably more so, if
anything. It’s very simple:
Stop.
Breathe.
Go
outside.
Breathe
some more.
Walk
barefoot in the grass.
Notice
the wind, the birds and the scents and sounds around you.
Feel
your energy align with the slower pace of nature…keep breathing.
Allow
your being to absorb the luscious feeling of this slower energy.
Breathe
some more.
Return
to whatever you were doing.
Repeat
often.
I
actually had to wrestle with myself about writing this blog…I was inspired while I
was outside but I knew I still needed to give my body a break from work and
relax. But the inspiration was too strong so here we are J
I compromised – I wrote it while it was still fresh in my mind and I allowed
myself to wait a day before posting it. It’s an art that we fine-tune over time
– when to stop and when to continue on with inspired action. What you are
reading is a result of a balance of both.
Wishing
you a beautiful day with a slower pace and lots of inspired ideas!
Much love,
Tanna
Much love,
Tanna
***
Living Peacefully ™ is written by Tanna Marshall, Author, Holistic Life Coach and Spiritual Teacher. If you have any questions or would like more information about any of these services, please contact: tanna@tannamarshall.com or www.tannamarshall.com.
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