and other changes to numerous to mention. Can I make the change with ease, and what skills can I pull out of my emotional self-care tool box to create a graceful transition? Can I maintain a mind- ful life-style, feel happy and greet each new discovery or challenge with open arms and an open heart? Can I feel a sense of trust as I search for a new doctor and dentist, find a hair stylist, a florist, a group or a class to join, local parks, my favorite grocery store, form new friendships.
I am responsible for my thoughts, beliefs and perceptions, and right now they determine how well and how quickly I’ll adjust. As I look at the boxes and the array of things that have not yet found a home, I can be overwhelmed, or I can accept that settling-in is a process that I’ll complete one day at a time. I can get frustrated when a decorating idea does not work, or I can lovingly give myself permission to try again. I can drop exhausted at the end of the day, or I can work for awhile and then take a walk along the green-way that just happens to be a path
my thoughts, beliefs and now they determine how uickly I’ll adjust.”
along the Chesapeake Bay sport- ing a crushed shell surface that is stunning! (Jackpot!)
I am anticipating my personal care wants and needs and finding ways to fulfill them now as this gives
me confidence. I’m asking ques- tions and creating my new world. There are no limits on the number of questions I allow myself to ask and no limit on the number of times I can change my mind.
Mindful living makes life easier and kinder. A mindful life-style is one lived in the moment, conscious and aware of personal feelings and the feelings of others in your environment. It is directed by positive thought and a loving heart, never judgmental or criti- cal. So ... here are some mindful life-style ideas for your emotional self-care tool box. They’ll help make your transitions easier, no matter how small or how chal- lenging they may be.
1. Think positive, and if you catch negative self-talk, re- word your thought immediately.
2. Make self-trust your self- care mantra.
3. Smile, it automatically re- duces internal stress.
4. Create a view of your transi- tion that has an imaginary open door. Open mental doors create an open mind that allow feel- ings and ideas to change, flow and develop
5. Honor the transition so the new beginning can unfold.
6. You’re writing a new chap- ter of your life, so consciously adopt new ideas and actions to replace the old ones that aren’t working for you.
aspiremag.net
7. Connect all the dangling pieces of your life – create a continuation of the positive aspects.
8. Remember who you are, and live with strength from your center.
9. Don’t allow yourself to ob- sess over one thing that both- ers or frightens you.
10. Stay active. Walk. Swim. Have fun.
11. Breathe consciously, concentrating on relaxing your shoulders or any other part of your body that is stiff and sore and holding tension.
12. Treat yourself with com- passion, kindness no matter what!
Continuity gives us roots, change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~ Pauline Kezer
Janet Nestor is a holistically minded licensed professional counselor, diplomat in energy psychologist, edu- cator, speaker, workshop leader and author of Pathways to Wholeness, a mindfulness guidebook (2010) and Nurturing Wellness Through Radical Self-Care: A Living in Balance Guide and Workbook is due out 2012. Connect with Janet at www.mindful-
pathways.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54