Dial It Back: What is Helpful and What is Not
When the stock market plummeted and I could not find toilet paper or chicken anywhere...my heart started skipping beats and racing with anxiety. Until I paused. I went into my toolbox and pulled out every resource I could find. Here are a couple that were extremely helpful:
* We have been hearing for forever about how it is important to stay in the present moment. So I decided to stay there. When my mind started judging this sudden rush on toilet paper, I thanked my thoughts for caring about my clean tushy, but politely asked them to move on. I reminded myself that for today, I had enough toilet paper. In fact, when I thought about it - I had PLENTY of everything I needed. This brought me not only joy but got me thinking about who might not have plenty. Sharing ensued. Staying in the present, reminding myself of what was real, was really, really calming.
* Do what is helpful. When we have wide margins for error during times of calm and low stress, we can afford to get a little careless with our disciplines or even explore new ways of being in the world. This is NOT that time. So Pete and I said, “What is helpful for us? What is not helping?” Here is the real list we made in response to that question:
* It is NOT helpful to watch the news. We know enough to know what we need to do today.
* It is VERY helpful to walk together every single day. (Often we tag team exercise, not right now. We do this together.)
* It is NOT helpful to waste time on distractions. We do not have the margins for being spiritually...thoughtless. We eliminated all TV.
* It is VERY helpful to do our spiritual practices - meditation, quiet time, etc. every single practice that we have done in the past that was helpful - we do daily.
* It is NOT helpful to whine about what we do not have. (Although, I do think whining about missing our grandchildren is just plain necessary.)
* It is VERY helpful to speak gratitude to each other and remind each other of every single little thing that brings us joy. I’ve seen a lot of others doing this too. I’ve seen more pictures of birds, sunsets and goats in the last six weeks than in my lifetime. Keep ‘em coming!!
* It is NOT helpful to experience too much boredom or lethargy - a little is good; too much distraction is not, but there is a happy medium.
* It is VERY helpful to continue serving others, working out, eating right, learning, practicing or finding hobbies, etc. This requires adjustments but my goodness - check out Youtube! I am convinced that if this goes too much longer, many of us could earn a PhD in something!!
* Do what is enjoyable! If it is present moment focused, helpful and brings you joy - go for it! This is a great stress reliever AND quite hopeful, don’t you think?
