You’re probably familiar with feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and spent lately.
Given the sudden arrival of COVID-19, the state of the economy, stresses on your family and friends, the deaths of 100,000 Americans – and the tragic incidents of racial injustice and violence in our cities – it all makes sense.
You’re feeling the impacts in your body, your mental state, your emotions. What might surprise you, though, is that your energy’s not determined by external factors.
Of course, external events like job loss, an overtaxed health care system, and large-scale systemic issues (think racism, sexism, etc.) are real, yet we’re often seduced into thinking that if something ‘out there’ changes, we’ll have more energy.
Nope. It’s an inside job.
Given the chaotic and crazy ride we’re on right now, and how we’re collectively reacting, it’s a good time to look at energy more closely.
OK, so what is energy anyway?
We generally experience it as, having enough, or NOT. When we experience not having enough, we talk about needing a good night’s sleep, a big cup of coffee, a deep-tissue massage.
At our most indulgent, it’s a weekend free from racing around in order to recharge.
But how do we describe having enough energy?
Think of energy as the amount of vigor, vitality or zest you have, or your quantity of ‘get up and go.’ When we experience enough, we talk about going on that hike, tackling that home project, shooting hoops with the kiddos, or being able to relax and go with the flow.
According to Dr. Dan Siegel, ” Energy is the movement from possibility to actuality. It is the actualization of possibility. ”
Translation?
The question is a personal one. It requires asking yourself:
What’s possible in my life? In my career? Is what I care about being realized? Am I able to bring about the possibilities that call to me?
Truly, it’s all about working with your own energies.
We’re energy bodies. Our energies are measured in blood pressure, heart rate, and pulmonary rates, and knowing when we’re thirsty or hungry or sleepy.
When we experience stress, our energy levels, mindset, and mood are affected, limiting our ability to step into powerful action.
It’s unchecked stress responses that lead to burnout, not time.
As you increase your awareness of your own fluctuating energy levels throughout the day, you can begin to regulate your energy, including choices around food, sleep, exercise, stress reduction, play, etc.
Notice, all of these choices to stabilize your energy levels are yours to make, nothing external determines them.
More than 100 years ago, Albert Einstein addressed the scientific community, passionately presenting the idea that everything we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell is energy, not matter.
Instead, everything that matters is energy.
Einstein proved that we are not what we appear to be. We are not solid and dense. In fact, “Every single cell in our body is a world of its own, . . . a person’s energetic resonating is directly related to his or her level of awareness or consciousness.”
The more aware you are, the closer you are to living into your potential and the more positive energy you have available to act on that potential.
Conversely, the less aware you are, the more stagnant, numb and dull you’ll feel as energy blocks develop and grow.
Sounding a bit woo-woo? Maybe. Then again, we are talking Einstein —wasn’t he on to something?
To help build your awareness, let’s examine the most common blocks that come up with my clients, and see if you can identify any blocks you may have.
- Limiting beliefs that keep you small, muted, and feeling ‘safe’ at the cost of accomplishing your goals.
- False assumptions you carry with you about how the world is, you are, and how others should be based on the past.
- False interpretations that are based on incomplete information, your own biases, the influence of others, that deny the truth of your experiences.
- Fear that you’re not enough, not safe, not capable, not worthy, not interesting, not likeable, not smart enough, or not ___________.
What these blocks demonstrate is that how you see yourself – beliefs, assumptions and interpretations – determines everything .
The true measure of your energy is based on your fundamental core beliefs. Unexamined, core beliefs may be unconsciously running your life.
The good news is that you can begin dissolving these blocks right now – amid the chaos and uncertainty and sadness. It’s another opportunity for growth in this surreal time.
One of the best and easiest ways to work with the energy blocks is to practice Centering .
It’s a bit like tuning into your favorite radio channel, turning the dial to find just the right spot where the frequencies sync up and the music plays – and your energy is at a high.
Try this. Click this link to take you to 3 different practices for clearing your blocks and opening up your energy. ‘
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- You’ll want to scroll about halfway down the page, and look for the header, “More Practices.”
- Start with the audio file titled, “Being Open to What Is.” Next, try the two video links below it.
For today, commit to a daily Centering practice with the intention to notice how your energy levels flow and fluctuate. Add a reminder to your calendar or phone to make keeping your commitment easier.
In two weeks, the June Pragmatic Practice will show you some more ways to work with your energy.