From where I sit, the world has gone through so many shocks lately that it can be challenging to remember the importance of rest, compassion, and even personal growth.
In my work as a minister, I find myself continually trying to find the perfect balance between motivating ourselves to work for justice, and encouraging the ease, gratitude, and relaxation which promote resilience.
I often feel lately that I don't find that balance, but I believe the effort of trying to is a worthy one.
It's a worthy one because no matter how we are trying to change the world or ourselves, we're going to need the practices of refreshment in order to restore our capacity.
Because we're not encouraged toward the compassionate practices of self-care, we can fall into patterns of looking for "any port in the storm" when our well of resource runs dry. We'll fall into doomscrolling or harmful addictions, or find ourselves in a cycle of overwork and burnout.
if we're going to engage in self-care, there are a couple of insights that can make our practice of it fun and easy!
1. no amount is TOO LITTLE
self-care can mean just taking a deep breath or saying some kind of Grace before a meal. It could be one minute mindfulness or 15 mins of stretching during the day. "Movement snacks" are a current favorite of mine - when I don't have time or bandwidth to do a whole workout, I can pepper in a couple of push ups, pull ups, or walks into my day and keep my health from declining that way. Five minutes of Qigong is much better than 20 mins that you don't do!
2. there's no RIGHT WAY
While my tradition follows venerable lineages of practice for guidance, what's true is that each of us are individuals. Just like we may have different "love languages" in relationship, we might also have a preferred language of self-compassion. Maybe it's being left alone to watch a favorite show, or maybe it's the opposite - turning off "entertainment" and finding some social intimacy. It can look however you need it to look.
3. do what's right FOR YOU
Following this last, it helps us to know that our self-care can be radically individual. There's evidence behind many of the practices we can engage in, but your own recipe can be in your own style. If doing a yoga practice just doesn't light you up, you can go for a walk, and if that hurts your joints, take a swim or get on the elliptical machine. If it opens your body, breath, and heart, then all of it is "yoga". One way to translate "Yoga" (or "Union") might be "to Integrate", anything that leads us toward integration is going to be a boon.
Obviously, if you need a place to start, I recommend my Alchemical Immersion self-paced qigong program, and this year we're doing it in 21 Day chunks! Next live classes happening on May 7 in the morning and 12th in the evening. You're welcome to hop on the journey at any time!
