or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create
a clearing in the dense forest
of your life
and wait there
patiently,
until the song that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands and you
recognise and greet it.
Only then will you know how to give yourself
to this world
so worth of rescue
Martha Postlethwaite
Well what a year it has been?
Ha ... that’s an understatement if there ever was one!
As we draw to the close of this year and look forward to fresh new chapter full of hope, we can pause for reflection -how did we use our lockdown time? How will you remember 2020? The year of disruption, Covid chaos & lockdowns or perhaps it was the year you got to slow down, get off the hamster wheel, let go of old habits & learn some new ones, maybe you did a bit more exercise or practiced self care.
This year has been particularly challenging for us to find any good in the world, but it is there waiting for us to notice it and let it in. Rick Hanson the neuroscientist talks of this negativity bias, a very old nervous system response that keeps us safe in times of extreme danger. If you'd like to read more here's a link to a simple practice:
https://www.rickhanson.net/writings/just-one-thing/just-one-thing-simple-practices/
This old-fashioned outmoded part of our nervous systems, is triggered every time we feel threatened, or under pressure. We interpret events as a threat to our survival. Even seemingly small things like; someone who doesn’t thank us when we’ve put ourselves out, hitting all the red lights when we’re in a rush, something or someone who has hurt our feelings, our body is still triggered in the same way as when we are about to be some wild beasts lunch.
Covid has brought us back into that survival mode, but there are ways to reduce this. For example, I’m not watching the news so often, limiting the negative information coming in, searching for the good in situations - those silver linings, and when something lovely happens, really taking the time to feel it & let it in!
Science tells us that we can increase our natural resilience and optimism by regularly & consciously, feeling the warm happy sensations when something pleasant happens to us.
One thing I have learnt this year is to do just that, to remember to look for and feel the good things that are all around us. It’s easier to start this practice, by being mindful of the small things. For example, to be grateful for:
a warm cup of tea on a chilly morning
a soft cosy jumper
Gloves
Loo paper
Chocolate ☺️
I've come to really appreciate slower starts in the morning and not rushing, I’ve sat down more (this is a big challenge for me as those who know me well will know!!!) I even made my own Xmas cards for the first time in about 20 years!!
So make sure this Christmas whatever happens, accepting it will be a very different one (with all sorts of emotions) please take moments to recognise & bathe in the wonderful small things, to keep feeding that new habit our positivity bias.
With much love and kindness
Kath
