The Wednesday Word is: STOP A lot has changed in a week. I firmly believe knowing the difference between being vigilant over hypervigilancy and inviting calm over hysteria is best practices for optimal Wellness, any day. It is good to be informed and aware and have a plan for care. However, before we go forward, we need to STOP and BREATHE, right now. Go ahead. I’ll wait. The reason some feel anxious about all this is:
1. Their reality and odds of getting sick
2. Concern for self and loved ones
3. Perception of the unknown or lack of control
STOP.
BREATHE.
Reality is, we can wash our hands, we can practice social distancing, we can sanitize every inch of ourselves and our surroundings and unfortunately, still get sick. From COVID-19 or something else. We may not be able to control if we are susceptible to getting sick now anymore than before, however, we always have control over how we respond and show up in our daily lives. Fear and panic cause our internal frequencies to lower, which aid in populating disease and illness. To best combat this: STOP and BREATHE, and raise your vibrations by being happy, joyful — driving away fear and negativity.
Use this as an opportunity to take inventory of your life and what you want most. Instead of panicking or being afraid, take heed of necessary precautions and STOP and look at this moment as a reset button for life. No one likes to be told what to do or that they cannot do something. I know. I’m one of those people. However, rather than be combative, cranky and annoyed I decided to STOP. I stopped and asked myself the following questions:
1. What is it I do not like?
2. What can I do about it?
If I could or needed to formulate an action plan for the answer to #2, I did. If there was nothing I could do about it, I let it go. Letting go takes faith. Having faith is hard when there is so much uncertainty and zero guarantees. So, maybe all you can do right now is STOP. Maybe all you can control right now is you. How you show up, how you allow this stillness to work for you, how to respond, when you need. All best practices we need to do anyway, every so often. Take this time to STOP and check in with yourself.
STOP.
Pause.
Breathe.
Listen.
What do you hear externally?
What do you hear internally?
How do you feel?
What do you know? Not presume to know, but truly know.
STOP.
Breathe.
Be still.
Do nothing.
Just be.
Don’t define it.
Don’t explain it.
STOP.
Breathe.
Be.
Repeat as often as necessary.
You’re ok. <3