As an early Spring quickly reveals new life, and my return to work date fast approaches, I am acutely aware of the flow of time. The past few days have been filled with appointments, car repairs, cleaning, boys activities, and yard work. As I tried to pack as much obligation into one day as possible I could feel those old feelings of anxiety and doubt in my ability, to juggle it all, crash on the shore.
As waves ebb and flow, logically, I know what self care works for me. Logic and emotions continually clash.
I realize trying to do too much is a trigger for me. True self care is being able to say “no” and knowing your limits. When you add to that a struggling teen, who I react to instead of respond and it is a recipe for flight. We all have a built in “flight” or “fight” response to a stressful or dangerous situation. Suddenly I am on line looking for a hotel room to get away and test driving a new vehicle. Shopping was also one of my instant gratifications, or happiness responses. Both were past habits to not deal with a situation. The head in the sand response.
Proudly, I did not run away or buy a new vehicle on impulse. I have worked too hard and come too far to return to the person I was. I immediately pulled out my yoga mat.
The breath; such an unconscious occurrence we take for granted. Never had I realized what a gift it was to the healing process until I returned to the yoga mat. By focusing on the breath only, the mind quiets, the body relaxes, and your thoughts turn to the present moment.
A home yoga practice is quite freeing and allows me to be authentic and gentle with myself. My favorite breathing is called “lions breath”. Breath in through the nose and out through a wide open mouth with tongue sticking out. It looks crazy however it feels so empowering. Do a few of those and happiness will hug you. I even practice will driving in the car. It keeps me from overthinking and over analyzing. I can imagine what it looks like to other drivers. It makes me smile to think about it.
If I took fear out of the equation, what would I change about how I spend my days ~ Lissa Rankin
Take time to reflect and look within. Know your triggers. Search for what calms you and use it often. My friend introduced me to on line yoga last year. Yoga with Adrienne truly supports you to find what works for you in your practice. To breath is so important to connect you to your body and the flow of movement.
The next time a “flight” response is triggered, and there will be a next time, look within and know to Just Breathe!
As a take a breath a new recipe will be with my next post.
The photo taken of my footprints in the sand was Polihale beach on the island of Kauai. This is 7 miles of remote beach where you can experience solitude and the power of the ocean. I was blessed to be the only one on the beach that day. Listening to the sound of the ocean is an excellent way to take a breath.
Blessing and Much Aloha!
Redefining Grief 
Such truth. My little mantra song… Hey it’s OK, you’ll be fine, just breathe. Heard it online a few years ago and it just stuck.
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