It’s 2012: 11 Ways to Emotionally Thrive.
Photo via Dailyfunnystuff.com
We’ve heard Mayan legends and stories of Apocalypse for the year 2012.
Stop reading now if this is what you’re hoping for—these are tips on thriving.
Truth be told the world is transforming before our eyes.
We’re waking up to the realization that our thoughts matter, we’re all connected and our world is changing. Time is changing, seasons are changing, weather, politics, social systems, beliefs, and people are changing. Most people I work with report having major life changes occur and swooping lightening speed personal growth happening on a regular basis. We can no longer hide from our “stuff” and there seems to be a global movement to wake up, wake up, wake up.
So, what to do? Hold on and consider these 11 tips to not only survive, but thrive.
1. It’s time to look around your life and realize we truly become the five people we hang out with most.
Cut ties to negative people, drama queens and energy suckers. Surround yourself with true friends—people who inspire you and people you love dearly. Energetically: like attracts like, so if you’re surrounded by people who don’t reflect what you really respect, it’s time for a little self-reflection which leads me to the next tip.
2. There is no longer an “out there” and an “in here.”
The world is your mirror. Easily triggered by others? It’s time to remove the trigger. Once we work out our issues of anger, self sabotage, low self-worth/esteem and our lifetime wounding, we no longer need to pull in others to play out life dramas so we learn the lesson. Take control of your own lessons and buttons. You know what they are, we all have them. Seek out counseling, neurosculpting, brain spotting, neurolinguistic programing or shamanic soul retrieval to shine a light on your issues and take your power back by healing them.
3. Take care of your body energetically.
We’re bombarded with electromagnetic fields, constant distractions, obligations and responsibilities. Multitasking is no longer an option, it’s a necessity in today’s fast paced world. Buy or trade for massages, acupuncture, energy healing, aromatherapy, float tanks, and reflexology. Can’t afford any of it or find a trade for service? Lay on the earth for a few minutes.
Earthing has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and bring our nervous system back into balance. Take a hint from our animal friends, the first thing an animal will do when it’s sick or wounded is to seek solace in a quiet place and lay on the earth. Take a shower when you get home from work to energetically wash away the day (and other’s energies) or take a sea salt bath. Two cups of sea salt in a bath and you’ll feel like a new person. Sea Salt is a well-known energetic cleaner. Try it before you deny it.
4. Still your mind.
Meditating for even 10 minutes a day will reduce the effects of the number one killer: stress. Yoga, silent walking with no agenda and being in nature are moving versions if you can’t sit still. Set your watch or phone to 15 minute intervals and take three deep breath breaks. Breathing into your belly vs. shallow breathing calms the nervous system of the body. Shallow breathing actually activates the fight or flight points near the collar-bone on a primal level and adds to stress. Breathing properly is a habit that once formed, will be remembered in your body. Set your timer for a few weeks, it’s worth it.
5. Take substantial breaks from the cell phone.
The world can survive without you for an hour lunch break. We do not need to be like Pavlov’s dog to the sound of our cell phone ringer or text. Schedule some private time. Toss your cell phone in the back seat of the car on your commutes and errands or at the very least, leave it at home while you walk your dog. Shut the computer off by a certain time and witness your knee jerk reaction to check it every hour. Want to make your mate swoon with passion? Refuse to bring that cell phone to dinner. Give him or her 100 percent of your undivided attention and watch your relationship bloom again as a side benefit to reducing stress. This leads me to the next one…
6. Invest your time with fewer people intimately so you can develop those relationships into a deeper connection.
Intimacy = Into You I see, isn’t possible with everyone. It’s become a superficial word in today’s zillion plus online friendship arena. Developing true connection and trust with another provides a safety zone and refuge from the world when you need it. While I’m suggesting we foster true friendships, it’s also important to consider my next suggestion:
7. Community!
Think globally and act locally; really locally by knowing your neighbors. Get one another’s back and create that small town feel in your own backyard. Care about each other, offer a helping hand. Plant community gardens, vote to stop poisoning the neighborhood earth with pesticides and share community meals once a week. If someone is in trouble, offer him odd jobs before you pick up the phone and call a stranger. We need to break out of the garage door batman habit of driving in, closing the door and waving at one another as we drive by. These are your neighbors, learn to get along with them and enjoy the social community right in the comfort of your backyard.
8. Turn off the damn TV.
It’s all negative or drama anyways. If you can’t part with it, limit your time to great movies or inspiring channels like OWN or National Geographic. Better yet, toss the TV out and watch something 100 percent inspiring like free yoga and videos on Gaiam TV via your computer, phone or iPad for less than three lattes a month. Worried about missing the news? Read it online. I promise, someone will fill you in.
9. Refuse to add more poison to your body.
Buy organic, buy local, use eco-friendly hygiene products and detox by dry brushing, adding lemon to your water in the mornings and upping your clean water intake by supporting healthy sustainable sources of water.
10. Have compassion for everyone.
We don’t know the reason someone is speeding past you in their car, there could be an emergency. We don’t know why people are absent minded and appear to be rude; they could have something heavy on their mind. Judge someone by their appearance? They might be suffering with their health or burdened by stress. Hear something bad about another? Remember that’s just one person’s perspective. Everyone is doing the best they can. Avoid sweeping judgements and consider a few reasons other than your initial reaction before giving someone a negative label.
11. Watch your thoughts and your words.
We are manifesting machines and if you haven’t noticed lately, we are manifesting our worst nightmares and our biggest dreams. Every religious and spiritual text traced back to the beginning of time taught the power of our words. Avoid gossip and don’t repeat it, investigate things for yourself, suspend judgement and refuse to speak of your fears. Talk about what you want, not what you don’t want. Look around your life: what choices are your friends making and what choices have you made? We are meant to live happy, healthy, abundant lives. When our self-worth and self-esteem are healthy, we realize we’re worthy of creating a good life. Most importantly, when we live a good life, we’re empowered to help others which is truly the most rewarding task of all.
xo
~
Editor: Kate Bartolotta
Yoga couple photo by Cary Jobe photography
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~Mamaste
Awesome, Tamara. And love the cartoon.
[...] It’s 2012: 11 Ways to Emotionally Thrive. (elephantjournal.com) [...]
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I love elephant journal!
Thank you Kate!!! This lifted my spirits after reading a real negative, downer of an article