It’s a new calendar year again, and many people like to use this new start as a jumpstart for… something in their life.
I’m all for looking at things you like to shift, improve, get started on…
… but we all know that many of the New Year Resolutions don’t stick around for long.
But there is a little practice I like to shift patients towards that we can always come back to.
So, what’s something that makes you feel a little lighter?
Something that brightens your day a tiny bit, just for you?
Something that makes you feel more at ease?
When I talk about this, most people think of gratitude immediately.
Gratitude is a great emotion that comes with many positive health effects.
And if you have a gratitude practice, that’s fantastic, keep it up!
But in this case, I’m not looking for the big emotion of gratitude, but really just looking for the things that make you feel a little lighter.
Do you have anything that comes to mind?
If yes, great! If not, no worries, you’ll find them.
Start paying attention to your day and find those little moments.
Heck, start a list for yourself of what those little things are for you!
We all can get very caught up in busy-ness, hectic, go go go…
… and we don’t notice those little moments (hence why the list can help you be more aware).
But what are these little moments I’m talking about?
It varies from person to person.
So, for me, it can be anything from when the sun finally gets through the clouds, to…
– Listening to the birds
– Seeing a new blossom open up
– Eating a Vanillekipferl (a Christmas cookie we adapted to grain free and sugar free) and having coffee with it
– My pup coming over to cuddle up
None of these are big moments, and all of them can be easily missed.
Some of these I have to be aware enough to notice when it happens, some of them I can purposefully do to bring more ease to my day.
This practice is asking for your awareness – both for what you are doing throughout the day and awareness of yourself.
It simultaneously draws you back into the here and now, while also putting your feelers on the lookout for the lighter and at ease moments.
Now, what are those little moments that make you feel lighter, more at ease?
