The last few weeks my phone has gone from bad to worse, shutting off right in the middle of my Words with Friends games and Facebook browsing, to say the least it has been extremely inconvenient. My phone has become an integral part of my routine; I wake up to my phone, I get ready for the day with my tunes playing from my phone, I turn on my brain by playing WWF; and at times, zone out while playing solitaire. Of course the obvious use of receiving important phone calls from clients and family and friends is equally if not more important. Its vital that it work properly! I think you all can relate to this. We expect our gadgets to work, and when they don't work, we notice. I know in the next couple days, I will be taking a trip to the phone store to get a new one, and I'm not really thrilled about the cost, but at least I purchased the insurance on it and will pay much less than I originally did. When our TV doesn't work, we know what to do. When our computer doesn't work, we call tech support or get a new one. If our AC stops working, we call the repair guy to fix it.
Why is it that we expect everything to work; our computers, our lawnmowers, weed eaters, televisions 100% but we neglect the very device that we cannot replace? I'm talking about our bodies. How is it that we are completely tuned out of our bodies and fail to notice when its just not as quick as it used to be or a little sluggish on the boot up? I began my journey of coming back to my body a little over a year ago; taking notice when I wasn't feeling good, and letting my mind wonder about what it could mean. What I have noticed is that any time my body feels anything, it gives a message to me, and the reason for the message is that I need to pay attention and do something about it. Its really a simple concept and yet I find myself ignoring the messages and being irritated at times that my body isn't working at top efficiency. In the past, I have found it much more convenient to ignore my body altogether until something happens that really makes me pay attention. Of course when we cannot get out of bed or our back goes out and me cant move we are forced to be still for a minute and are given the opportunity to look inward and fix whatever is causing the problem. However many times we don't really use that time constructively by really getting to the bottom of the problem, we take some pills and put a band aid on it and carry on with our lives the best be can. After all we have bills to pay, deadlines to meet and kids to take care of.
So I propose that there's a possibility that we can do it differently. I'm thinking of three basic steps that anyone can do to become more present in their body, and see what happens.
Step 1. Breathe deeply - take the opportunity to fill your lungs up with air, in through your nose and out through your nose. Really take the air in, let your belly expand (yes make it look big, its OK, really it is). Close your eyes and relax.
Step 2. Check In - As you are in this relaxed state, notice what is going on inside your body, is there any pain? discomfort? are you hungry? Scan all the way down through your body from the top of your head to the bottom of your toes and just notice what is there.
Step 3. Wonder - Open your mind up to wonder about what you feel in your body. Ask yourself the question; "I wonder what that could be about?" Be open to listening to the messages your body is sending you through all its wonderful senses. Allow whatever comes into your mind at this time to be present with you; without discounting or shrugging the thought away.
Doing these three things will take you less than 5 minutes and yet the benefits you will find are amazing! I love the way this instantly helps me relax my shoulders and lets the tension leave my body. Its like a power nap without having to move from where you are. This is also a great reminder to help us remember to breathe, I bet you don't notice how often you are shallow breathing as opposed to deep breathing, which is really very ineffective considering we need oxygen to survive. So breathe deep! Shallow breath is a reflection of our body being in a state of stress and can actually cause greater anxiety. I would suggest doing this exercise 3 times a day just for 5 minutes and see how much better you feel!
We exist on this earth and experience everything life has to offer in our bodies, they are amazing miracles from God! Lets give this amazing creation some time and energy and not be afraid to inquire inside of us for what we really need, you might just surprise yourself at what can happen in that moment. Breathe and let breathe, its my new motto!
Happy Wednesday everyone!
