Have you ever heard this quote before?
"If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." - Roald Dahl
I recently read in Dr. Harry Barry's book, Toxic Stress, that a person's thoughts play a key factor in their stress response and health. Research has shown an attitude of gratitude and practicing mindfulness can facilitate positive emotions, build resilience, and support the immune system.
Some days it's easier to see the sunny side of life. On others it's harder. That's part of life. But I meet so many people who are hesitant to show up as they are. With their fears and imperfections, their pain and sorrows. It's like there is a lot of shame and guilt about not feeling good and that what they're experiencing in life is "wrong". Like being human is a mistake.
But being human is not a mistake. To be honest, being human can be messy. It has its ups and downs and sometimes they happen from one moment to the next. Yet, we all have this innate capacity to choose how we feel. To tap into the present moment and be(come) present and just be. After all, you're a human being, not a human doing.
It's ok to stop, pause, to breathe. To rest and (re)connect with yourself again.
Yes, it is difficult. Yes, it takes practice... and time.
How about just for today... just for this moment... just for this one breath... allow yourself... to just be. And as you do so, you silently tell others that it's ok to be... human... too.
About Andrea Deierlein & Thrive Reiki, LLC: Andrea's work specializes in helping people transform the pain of life challenges and daily adversity through the practice of Reiki. She helps people struggling with stress, anxiety and overwhelm, to relax, calm down and breathe again. Focusing on stress management and the mind-body-connection, her clients shift out of survival mode, build focus and resilience. Connect with her on www.thrivereiki.com or follow her on Instagram @andreadeierlein