Keeping Our Balance

Life can be a real trial to navigate some days, even for the most spiritual person. When the world throws us a challenge, who among us does not feel a moment of inner panic, perhaps a racing heart or troubling thoughts, and mounting tension in our bodies? It doesn’t matter how spiritual we are; we are human, and human reactions will continue to be part of our experience. Granted, the person on the spiritual path has a foundation of serenity, connectedness and understanding of the bigger picture. But tools to regain our inner poise are important for everyone. Keeping our thoughts and emotions in a positive place is crucial to our mental and physical health, and to keep us moving forward and manifesting the life we desire. How then, do we regain our balance when life threatens to derail us?

What I would like to share with you are a few of the tools I use to shift my outlook when I recognize that I am emotionally off-balance.

• Deep breaths. Have you ever noticed that it is hard to remain anxious once you consciously take deep cleansing breaths and stop breathing shallowly? Build on this by adding a visualization of seeing calming blue energy enter your lungs with each inhalation.
• Stretching exercises such as Pilates or yoga. I cannot emphasize enough how effective a few key stretching exercises can be for releasing tension and getting your energy flowing. Stretching is my go-to for reducing stress; particularly holding a forward waist-bend (to reach for your toes) or downward dog, both of which relax the neck and shoulders. Stretches can be done anywhere, anytime and take only a few minutes.
• Cardio exercise. Getting the blood pumping using your chosen means of cardiovascular exercise can be just the thing to work out anxious feelings or restlessness.
• Music – one of the best mood lifters I know. Sing along to your favourite tunes in the car or while doing other tasks.
• Meditation. When I can find a quiet place and half an hour to spare, sitting in meditation with soft background music can do wonders, especially when I also call upon my Guides for assistance. They are always happy to help us with problems big or small.
• Phone a friend. Sharing a trouble to get some perspective is helpful, as long as you aren’t continually rehashing the situation and giving it energy.
• Enjoy a pet. Play or cuddle with the pet that is a member of your family.
• Get outdoors in nature. For me, walking in the forest is a sacred experience, and when sunlight is on me I can intuitively perceive my batteries being re-charged.
• Help another person. All of us have had the experience of feeling better when we put aside our own worries to assist another individual. Often the experience also puts our own concern in perspective.
• Use flower essences, as outlined by Machaelle Small Wright in her books, especially MAP (see Resources page) – I will speak more about this in a coming blog.

I hope you find some of these tools useful but as we are all unique it is important to learn the strategies that work best for you. What experiences put you more at ease or bring a smile to your heart and peace to your soul? Seek these those and have them at the ready the next time life throws you a curve ball.