The roof is falling in my house, literally.
We’ve had a roof leak for a while now which has led to the ceiling board cracking and dropping little piles of brown dirt on the floor, 3 times a day. It’s like clockwork. Brown dirt rain.
At first, I thought little ants were building a cylinder hill-house on my floor, as that is what it reminded me of. But then I looked up.
There was even a little tangled mess of brown dirt dangling, and waiting to drop. It gave me the heebie-jeebies, and I imagined a long vine growing to the floor overnight, just waiting to entrap me.
(This is where the mind goes. I know, right? Sigh. Gotta lay off the sci-fi!)
Fortunately, we don’t own the house and don’t bear the responsibility of fixing it, so the property manager is taking care of it. Unfortunately, the roofer that came to start the repairs ended up contracting COVID and had to stop but fortunately, he is on the mend.
Meanwhile, the roof is falling.
There are days it feels like the world is literally collapsing on our heads.
Just watch the news for a couple of minutes, and you are sure to go to this place of heaviness and sometimes feelings of hopelessness.
For many, they aren’t sure how they are going to crawl out of the financial, political, and racial rubble that now surrounds them.
It’s not a pretty picture for sure, but we do have a choice on HOW we respond to it.
We have a choice on whether to allow the roof to continue to fall, or to structurally support it so it is strong and intact.
A good foundation and structure are key. And you are 100% in charge of this!
So let’s talk about HOW to build up the roof.
3 Tips To Get Out From Under The Rubble
1. Stop viewing experiences as “good” or “bad”.
The second you place judgment on something and tell yourself that something is “bad” it evokes a negative feeling, which then gets you all emotionally wound up. You then act from this place of emotional chaos, which usually doesn’t turn out all that well. The roof starts falling.
Let’s be clear here, I am not saying that the misuse of power and blatant racism (what the world is dealing with right now) aren’t issues to contend with and remedy. I am just speaking from a mindset perspective and a fundamental understanding of the body’s fight or flight response system.
Our thoughts trigger emotions, which trigger behavior. You are not supporting the cause by leading with anxiety, depression, or anger. You support the cause by being a beacon of light through your own example and speaking from a place of calm, collected truth.
You can definitely tell the difference between protesters who are being fueled by rage, and the ones who are there take a stand and be heard.
So instead of judging everything from situations, to people, to the weather as “good” or “bad”, how about opening yourself up to experiencing whatever it is and just take note of what you can learn from it?
2. Let’s take it a step further and find the gratitude in it.
Remember, an uprising (either internal or external) is ALWAYS a catalyst for increased awareness and change. Just look at history.
For what things can you be grateful for, right now?
For what things can you hold space for, for gratitude to grow?
I am grateful for those who are primary in revolutionary energy and do march the lawn of the White House to be the voice of the collective. My purpose in all this is different, though no less important. My gifts lie in educating and supporting the mental and emotional well-being of those who feel like the roof is collapsing, and want to stop it before it does.
3. And finally, do something that slows down your nervous system.
If you are starting from a place of emotional disturbance or high anxiety, then you can’t effectively do #’s 1 and 2 above.
You need to slow down and be calm enough to be aware of your thoughts to make adjustments in thinking.
Do yoga, meditate, breathing exercises, do some routine gardening, take a walk, take a bath, or get the Calm app on your phone (and actually USE it).
Now is not a time to be selfish with the self-care! When you are well, your energy becomes part of the collective energy. And we sure do need more love floating about!
Ok, so you go breathe and I will go sweep another pile of my brown dirt rain.
xoxo,
Lore
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