Starting Over in Life
If you've been
struggling to regain your balance and sense of happiness after being knocked around by illness, loss, or sadness open your doors to happiness by following these 3 time-tested keys to regain your momentum.
1. Take the First Step
Not much has changed in the thousands
of years humans have been facing and recovering from the hardships of life. As
Lao Tzu stated so long ago, 'a journey of a thousand miles must begin
with a single step'.
We fuel our inner strength and sense
of resiliency by taking action and walking through doors. But sometimes when faced with 'a journey of a
thousand miles' we can be overwhelmed with the daunting task of where to begin.
What is the first step? Which door to open first?
The good news is any first step will
do. Your hope, resiliency, and personal strength will grow stronger with every
step you take. It doesn't matter what the first step is. As you experience
yourself being pro-active and physically taking action, your ability to cope
and hope will improve. So start with a single step--any step-- and then take another.
2. Take Small Steps
An old Chinese Proverb says, 'The
man who moved a mountain is the one who started taking away the small stones'.
When you're in total overwhelm mode, start 'taking away the small stones'--one
small step, then another.
3. Build a Nest in the Eye of the Storm
Anthropologist, Margaret Mead,
traveled on her life adventure, with change and uncertainty as her constant
companions. Her grandmother, a major influence in Margaret's life, sent her on
her journey with the sage advice to 'Always build a nest in the eye of
the storm'.
This grandmotherly wisdom has had a
strong influence in my own life. Whenever major life events cause upheaval in
my life, my mind returns to this saying, and I think how important it is to
apply to get things moving and balanced again.
One thing I know--when you're in the
middle of a crisis, the hardest thing to do is to take care of yourself. You
can forget to nourish your body, push your body to the limits with lack of
sleep, and remain in a constant state of emotional overload. But if you focus
on 'building a nest in the eye of the storm', you will begin to
create a cushion to rest and a space for thinking.
What does it mean to build a nest in the eye of the storm? When life is swirling around you like a hurricane--you find a way to create a home-base of comfort--or nest--from which you can rebuild your daily existence.
How to Get Your Natural Rhythms Back in
Place
- Start with the basics to nourish your body and rest your nerves. Your body likes a regular rhythm that includes regular heart beats, breaths, sleep patterns, eating times, moving times, and rest time.
- Eat regular, well-balanced nourishing meals.
- Pace yourself--put a time limit on dealing with your difficulties--and take regular rest breaks.
- Go to bed early.
- Choose to have daily contact with uplifting, supportive people who can listen and encourage you in your strength.
- If you're caring for others, take care of yourself first, so you have the strength and endurance to continue to help others.
Create Safety and Security
We all do our best thinking and
acting when we do it from a place of feeling safe and secure. So create your
nest--no matter what storm is brewing. It may not be easy, but it is essential.
Susan J Meyerott loves helping people become more fully themselves, particularly those working through anxiety, life and career transitions, relationships, and self-esteem issues. She provides a nonjudgmental, growth-oriented environment for you to become the person you’re meant to be—while appreciating the richness of who you already are. Learn more at Lightarted Living Blog
