What if we replaced presents with presence?
Not your average gratitude speech, don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan or appreciation and gratitude. I practice it EVERY SINGE DAY!
And here is the thing that I find most interesting this time of year. It’s great that we turn the spotlight on gratitude, giving, family time, and celebration. But with so much hoopla, do we reap the benefits of these experiences on a visceral level, or in other words are we PRESENT, in this season of PRESENTS?
In the next 4 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I challenge you to see how present you can get, it may be the most valuable present you ever receive? How much can you give yourself (and ultimately allow you to receive) and how will it impact the joy and bliss you experience this holiday season.
Can you shut out the noise and listen to the still small voice with in that intimately knows your desires, your needs? Can you accept and enjoy wherever you are in the moment? Stay with me as we explore noise vs. voice, stories, triggers, and our relationship to pain.
On this Thanksgiving eve, I invite you to explore noise vs voice…your welcome 🦃
I’ll share an example. About 8 weeks ago I broke my foot, the 5th metatarsal to be exact. I had my 3rd x ray this week and it is still visibly broken. Immediately upon seeing the films, it started, the noise was loud in my head.
What are you doing? Why did you start back to the gym? You should have never taken that walk on your girls’ trip! This is your fault; you are not taking care of yourself…and now you are screwed for who knows how long?? The holidays are on here and you are sidelined with this injury, no cute shoes for you at the Holiday party!
My logical mind was in overdrive, reasoning and calculating what it would take for me to overcome this set back and persevere. I felt defeated and frustrated as solution after solution came and quickly rebutted. Its classic, you are screwed defeatist mindset. Which up until now would have led to anything from a binge fest to wine with lunch.
A quick breath session and feeling my hand on my heart…SHHHH, I said in this 30 second rant. Breathe and become still, check in with my body. In a few breathes I left the “noise” or mind chatter and traveled the 12 inches down to my heart space, where I could allow compassion and release fear and judgement.
The progression from noise to voice is one that starts with first recognizing that it exists, then allowing it to be observed without identifying with it or being consumed by it. You see, I heard the noise loud and clear, the anger and frustration came up…I leaned into the emotions and allowed them to be there honoring the sensation as I became inquisitive as to what this experience was here to teach me. Leaning in I gave myself permission to feel which shifted me into my body vs. my head where the noise resides. Once in my body, I heard the voice, kind compassionate and full of love (more Intune with the season, eh?). It felt more like a natural, and comforting, releasing the idea that I was broken and not healing. In the identity that I was broken I can see myself numbing out with food or some other destructive behavior without that identity I was able to discern and trust that this experience has a lesson for me that I may now know how but I do know that my intention is to stay healthy and present this season. And just maybe this foot is here as a reminder that, I have much to be grateful for and this slower pace in life is exactly what I need in this moment.
So tomorrow, who will you “be” while all the external noise is swirling around? Can you create an internal space where you are at peace and present, maybe then you will experience a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for your greatest teachers, discern what feels best in your body, and be guided by supreme presence? Which by the way, it’s impossible to binge eat in that state.
All my love!
Bobbi
