Energy Toolbox

"Friendly reminder that 'doing your best' does not mean working yourself to the point of a nervous breakdown."  Unknown

I woke up this morning feeling fragile.  You know - the kind of fragile that says I have nothing to give today and my energy storage is empty?  That kind of fragile.

So, I lay in bed and instead of thinking "I am exhausted and sore and grumpy" - I asked these questions...
What is it I "feel" today and why do I "feel" this way?  What is the root of my fragility right now?  What can I do or add into my life starting today that will help feed my soul, care for my body, and nourish my heart? 

And guess what?  I came up with some pretty deep stuff. : )  I gave away too much of my energy over the last few weeks.  I have a hard time saying no or setting/maintaining boundaries and I have let them slip.  I was tired with a very sick kitty and lots of stress and I just didn't hold my boundary up.  I allowed people to settle their negative energy on me and I let it hang out for awhile.  I am not blaming anyone here.  I am being honest - I allowed this to happen and it is on me.  Now, what to do?

"To protect your energy...It's okay to cancel a commitment.  It's okay to not answer a call.  It's okay to change your mind.  It's okay to want to be alone.  It's okay to take a day off.  It's okay to do nothing.  It's okay to speak up.  It's okay to let go."  Unknown

I often refer to my yoga and meditation practice as a toolbox.  A toolbox filled with tools to help me live a better life every single day.  I rummaged through there today as I lay in bed and I decided this is my plan right now (it will probably expand as the day goes by).  I will practice Yoga Nidra every afternoon for the next 30 days.  Yoga Nidra is healing, restorative and balancing and I need that right now.

I will practice Restorative Yoga today and 3x a week until I feel the shift in my energy back to center.  Can I say that as I shuffled around gathering a mountain of props for this morning's Restorative practice that I felt such a relief that I was choosing to love myself today with this practice?  It felt BLISSFUL.

I will practice Metta meditation for the next 7 days to reconnect me to the power and energy of loving kindness - including and especially for myself right now.  Metta or loving kindness meditation is a beautiful way to remind yourself that you wish only the best for yourself, for those you love, for those in your community and YES, for those who frustrate you as well!  

Along with all of this - I will nightly practice energy healing - allowing others energy to flow back to them and gathering my energy back in where I need it.  This could include meditation, Reiki, journaling or whatever allows me to release what is not mine and gather up what is mine!

Will you join me?  I know there are many of you out there feeling weighed down, heavy, fragile, tired, emotionally drained.  You are not alone.  I am here with you. Let's step back, use our tools to show ourselves some loving kindness and recharge our batteries. Take some time for you right now, today and set a plan in motion for the future to keep you at your best.

What will you do to take care of yourself today?
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See you on the mat my friends!
Aprille