A recent poll was taken on the happiness of Americans, measured on a scale of 1-100. Most of the states in the US ranked in the 60-70 range. I live in Tennessee and we were ranked #40 in the nation. Despite Nashville being such a hip and progressive place, people here are still overweight and unemployed, and a mojority of them are not doing anything about it. I agree that may be a harsh criticism, but I see it daily in people on the streets and the research is there to support this theory. I also see a tremendous amount of activists in our community, working within organizations, starting their own mission, building awareness through classes, news, and coming together for a common cause. All of this is great, especially if you know what your mission is. What your heart is here to teach. None of this is possible, if you are not functioning at your best, and using your resources wisely, which includes reaching out for what you need to…feel better, help others, be radiant!
Imagine yourself as a sacred activist, teaching others what you have learned, walking your talk, being supported by a community who sees and hears you and encourages you to share from your heart. This could be in your job, through teaching yoga, in your family. In essence, activism is how you show up in your work, life, family, relationships. Are you a symbol for health and happiness? Do you help people feel better or are you taking more than you are giving? We all need help sometimes…
If you notice yourself at the opposite end of the spectrum than where you would prefer to be…ie in worry, fear, focusing on lack, here are some ways to feel better now
Notice the conversations you are having with yourself. Find the strength to implement ones that feel better. Example: I am fat and gross and miserable. Affirmation: I am fit, sexy, healthy, happy and wealthy. Feel better? It’s ok if you do not believe it. Fake it until you make it, even if it takes days, weeks, months. All of life is a practice, and a result of the work we put in…to our bodies, to our relationships, to our work. So, you do have the power to create your thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
Be the captain of your ship. Your conscious mind functions as a caption. Subconscious is like the crew, taking orders from the captain. If you think you want something, and get the opposite situation, the conscious mind may need to harness the power to create more positive pathways. You can implement affirmations to help soothe the connection and to create what you want. Example: overeating. You think you want to be thin, and you keep binging and feeling bad about yourself. Consciously, let yourself imagine being thin and beautiful. Surround yourself with pictures of being thin and beautiful – why you want to be, such as pictures of going to the beach. Do the work it takes to sustain your body as you dream it to be. This starts with a conscious intention and practices to build awareness of what you want in order to keep moving in that direction.
Take life in segments. When you sit down to eat, acknowledge you are eating only for the next segment of time. That you will be able to eat again, and that you can eat only what you need to be fed for the next little while. Also, know what your goals are, and also that they do not have to all happen at once. That way you are aware of where you are going, and by doing so, you invite your subconscious to stay attuned to what the next right action is.
Kaizen: one step at a time, moving forward in a positive way. Kaizen is japanese for “improvement” or change for the better”. There are days when we all want to stay on the couch. There are times when this is totally appropriate, to check into a movie or a good book and turn your mind away from life as it is as you allow yourself to journey into a story. This is healthy for the brain and increases your productivity factor as you take a break away from working hard or over focusing. Space is a good thing!!! And, when you are on, doing one thing at a time, with all of your attention and focus, is a way of efficiency and effectiveness. This mode of functioning will give you energy. It activates the change muscle, a healthy outlook and an ability to handle life as it comes (because you are not thinking about or doing too much at once:).
What do you need to feel better now? Some tools that can help you to identify where you are going, or what your next steps are to help you feel better, improve yourself and sprout a successful life are:
- Vision Board
- Setting realistic goals
- Fear Inventory – acknowledge resistance regularly, replace with truth
- Work with a coach on any or all of the above exercises – be witnessed and supported in achieving your goals
