We find our selves in a perfect storm of fatigue. As individuals, within communities, across nations,
and throughout the globe, we are experiencing a bombardment of clashing emotions,
ideas, philosophies, and events. With each
shock wave, our energy is sucked out. We
are left fatigued. Collectively and
individually we are at a loss at how to fill the vacuum that remains.
We do fill our self with events like Muhammad Ali week in
Louisville, Kentucky. This celebration
of the peace philosophy of Ali offered the opportunity to be immersed in joy,
compassion, and serenity. We also fill
this space with the compassionate responses to tragedy. Helping those impacted by natural disasters
as well as supporting all those impacted by horrific events perpetrated by
humans soothes our ruffled souls. Those
actions give us much needed respite and an energetic boost.
Do you ever get tired?
Are you ever filled with fatigue and uncertain how to move forward? The honest answer for all of us is probably
“yes.” But, there is a way to minimize
the fatigue that comes from the constant bombardment of anger and
misunderstanding. Resting in the silence
and finding the pathway back to our quiet mind fills us up. Simply put, we connect to the ground of our
being through mindful or contemplative practice.
These practices are used to rest and recharge. Contemplative practices simply focus our
attention in the moment. We notice what
is causing tumult and what is encouraging peace. Weaving formal, informal, and
spontaneous practice throughout our day diminishes opportunities for fatigue to
take hold. During these focused times, we
are not ruminating on the past or leaping into the future. We are present to the potential of being the
spark that ignites compassion in the self, others, and the world.
Formal practice occurs at designated times throughout our
day. Perhaps we meditate each morning,
spend time writing in a journal during the day, or go for a walk in the
evening. The list of formal contemplative
practices is limited only by our creativity.
These times of formal practice create anchors of awareness in our day.
Informal practice happens at any point in the day where we
need to stop for a brief moment and realign our self with the present
moment. These practices include focusing
on the rhythm of our breath, a brief walk, and identifying three things for
which we are grateful. These practice
moments just happen when we listen to our internal voice that says “time to
stop and recharge.” Both informal and
spontaneous practices occur in the spans between the anchors.
Spontaneous practice happens in the moment without conscious
thought. It is often a response to
someone or something external. So, we
may open a door, compliment someone, or feel the joy and happiness that drifts
in our world just waiting to be recognized.
This is the spontaneous recognition of the extraordinary and our response
to it — we practice without conscious
thought. We reap the benefits both
consciously and unconsciously.
Theses moments of formal, informal, and spontaneous contemplative
practice fill the void caused by fatigue.
Through them we weather times of depletion. How can we create patterns of practice that
lift us from fatigue and into compassionate response?
Try this: Take a
post-it note and write three words on it — formal, informal, spontaneous. Carry it with you or place it in a prominent
place in your home. Then for seven days
notice when you are engaging in each of these.
After the end of the seven days, notice how you are feeling.
Your answer to “Do you ever get tired?” may shift from
“yes,” to “not so much,” to “caught it before it became fatigue.”
Filling the void through spanning the anchors, Vanessa
Vanessa is an Intuitive,
Community Builder, and Compassionista, and Author of Engaging Compassion
Through Intent & Action
More from Vanessa &
Community Building: www.intentandaction.com
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