Mind Like A Hummingbird
Self-Care Tuesdays are a beautiful container where we gather with other raregivers to give and receive support. This week our theme was, "when things don't go as planned.”
In your life as a raregiver, things often don't go as planned. As they say, "we make plans and God laughs.” This is soooo true!
The question is, how do you respond in the face of things not going the way you would like them to? There will be many surprises along the way and your child's condition will shift and change– all you have control over is how you respond to what shows up.
Interrupting overwhelm
We spoke about how the mind can quickly become overwhelmed. Have you ever had the experience of sitting down to relax and then finding yourself ruminating on your to do list? If so, you are in good company because this issue is uber common especially in the Rare community.
If this happens, it's a signal to slow down, take a deep breath and pause. When you pause, you can interrupt the habit of rumination, which may feel like your mind flitting around like a hummingbird.
A practice to support you steady your mind
Notice the onset of the pattern and pause
Close your eyes and turn toward your physical sensations. Physical sensations are a sign that the pattern is starting. When you stop the pattern at the beginning, it's much easier.
Feel your sensations
Do not make the mean anything
Feel any emotions and welcome them
Remember, your feelings make sense. Why? Because you're having them.
Once you feel calmer, ask yourself if any of these tasks on your list are urgent
Recognize that most of the tasks on your list can wait a few more hours or days and it will be OK.
This is a mindfulness practice, and you can learn it. Learning to stabilize your attention is key…otherwise your mind is in charge.
Aligning, heart, body and mind
As a raregiver, it's likely that you spend a fair amount of time worrying. Worrying is not helpful and actually it is draining and causes your cortisol levels to rise.
Many of us rely heavily on our minds, and forget that our bodies and hearts can offer us a lot of wisdom. If you find yourself lost in your mind, overthinking things, stop.
Perhaps you put a hand on your heart and close your eyes? Listen to what your heart has to say. The more you listen, the more you build a relationship with your own wise woman’s heart.
Our Theme For Next Week: The Places we Go When It’s Beyond Us
When we are deep in the throws of struggle, tightness, or control, it’s easy to forget or not even believe in surprise, curiosity, wonder and especially not awe. Yet, they are still possible and available to us. The irony is that many of these experiences are still out of our control, just on the other end of the spectrum. Come shift your lens to include these beautiful thoughts, that might allow us to be open to more.
Please Join Us
You may not realize how much you need the Angel Aid community until you find it.
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We look forward to being with you soon.
