I did something very unusual today. Right in the middle of my working day, I took a bath.
That's not to say bathing itself is unusual for me - heaven forbid, it's just that it rarely happens smack in the middle of a busy day with a long to do list and a stack of emails to get through.
In case you're thinking i've gone mad, there is a reason for me sharing this insight into my daily ablutions. If you'll stick with me i'll explain.
I was busy. Busy preparing for a meeting I have later with a dear friend and colleague. The purpose of our meeting is mutual coaching, on goals, visions, priorities and the like.
In the preparation which involved;
mind mapping my business, my offerings, my target clients, my current commitments, my aspirations, plans for future collaborations interspersed with writing notes for my next workshop, next speaking engagement, newsletter and networking event, I became very aware of an all too familiar feeling.
The sensations I experienced you may recognise:
A tension in my body, particularly in my neck and shoulders,
a buzzing in my head and the niggling of a headache,
clouded scattered thoughts,
a body posture of forced concentration, brow in hand scribbling furiously,
niggling thoughts of pressures, worries,
the need to do something, anything, to proactively bring about these goals and tackle the mounting to do list.
Perhaps I'd noticed the change of state as it was so markedly different from the space i've been in the last few weeks. Despite a packed diary, I had enjoyed the lightness of a serene mind, the joy of doing what I love and the blissful peace of going with the flow, trusting that all is as it should be.
Thankfully, having noticed the change, by some small miracle, I had the presence of mind to stop.
I had been consumed by the overwhelming need to control these outcomes I had set for myself.
To succeed to achieve to fulfil and fill full. The slight panic of "not enough time to get it all done" signalled the immediate need to surrender and release.
To let go of the expectations, let go of the pressure I had put on myself, let go of the busy-ness, let go of the grasping for clarity and change.
To worry about how we will accomplish our desires is not the best use of our vital energy i'm sure you'll agree. It is not the pursuit of an empowered child of the universe living in harmony and flow.
None the less, to surrender and let go is often easier said than done.
The manifestations of not letting go are often those I've already described;
physical tension
spiralling thoughts
worry
self doubt, even panic.
Other symptoms can show up in our experiences too;
relationships that we desperately "need" falter and crumble,
the prospective client that we have been vehemently chasing eludes us,
perhaps even the bank balance starts reflecting our deepest fears.
All of these, valuable signals. Having spotted them creeping in myself, the short term remedy was a deep warm bubbly bath. The essential oils gradually easing away muscle tension, my thoughts lightened by blowing bubbles, my mind cleared by the repeated mantra spoken aloud
"all is well
all is well
all is well"
Following my brief but highly effective soak in the tub, I had the realisation that perhaps I had unwittingly perpetuated the state of busy-ness I am so opposed to by the topic of my last newsletter and the title of my Vitality in Action workshop.
I do passionately feel that there is a need for those of us stuck in a rut and skimming the surface of their potential to rise to life's challenges with more than we currently muster.
Perhaps then, in light of the fact that we are human beings and not human doings, a mere renaming is called for.
Bathtub inspired Vitality in Action is born again, with a new name to hopefully better reflect it's essence. Do see below for more details if you're interested.
If you have been patient enough to get this far, thank you. You may still have a niggling question of "what's the point of this little discourse?"
It is merely this. A simple reminder, if you should need it, to let go.
Release yourself from concerns of what the future will bring. Enjoy the opportunities and inspiration that are attracted to you when in a state of Peace of mind and body.
Trust, let go, be free. Your needs will not only be met, but those things beyond your wildest imaginings will be yours.
Allow yourself space to withdraw from the pressure and the Universe will supply you with what you need, when you need it, as she always does.
Relax, take a bath, all is well.
Comments