standing still for a moment, become aware who I am – then continue as I need to. There is a chance to meet mySELF – being grateful for that I am. Continue.
In a very practical sense, I pull away physically if the environment is too chaotic. I sometimes enjoy a little chaos, some unexpected, unplanned events that cause my insides to rush, when there are many things happening at once...but there are times when I must have calm and peace...its then that I pull back and go to my special room in my house, it has colors and aromas that are appealing and I stay there for an hour or so until I’m regenerated and ready to face the chaos again. And then t...
In a very practical sense, I pull away physically if the environment is too chaotic. I sometimes enjoy a little chaos, some unexpected, unplanned events that cause my insides to rush, when there are many things happening at once…but there are times when I must have calm and peace…its then that I pull back and go to my special room in my house, it has colors and aromas that are appealing and I stay there for an hour or so until I’m regenerated and ready to face the chaos again. And then there’s walking in nature or in a crowded city where I am anonymous. My mind calms then as well.
Cultivating peace in the midst of chaos doesn’t necessarily meaning “feeling peaceful” or not being worried or upset. Instead, I think it is good to feel whatever it is you need to feel in the moment, but in the back of your head, remember that, at the end of the day, the world is good, and everything is okay. Life doesn’t have to be either/or; it can be both/and. Peace and anxiety are the ying and yang of a full life. To cultivate this, just focus on remembering that all is well and tha...
Cultivating peace in the midst of chaos doesn’t necessarily meaning “feeling peaceful” or not being worried or upset. Instead, I think it is good to feel whatever it is you need to feel in the moment, but in the back of your head, remember that, at the end of the day, the world is good, and everything is okay. Life doesn’t have to be either/or; it can be both/and. Peace and anxiety are the ying and yang of a full life. To cultivate this, just focus on remembering that all is well and that it is the hardest emotions and experiences that lead us to the greatest wisdom.
Pausing to think about what I am about to say before actually saying it.
When times are chaotic, I often say something I don’t mean or something hurtful rather than pausing to gain control of myself and my emotions before responding.
In the midst of anxiety I remind myself that I have everything I need in this moment and that I’m fine, and when I’m not fine it’s time for action. I remind myself to listen to the mental script, to become aware of the programming. When we aren’t using our mind, it’s likely using us.
What I learned through my Yoga Teacher Training is not to detach or push away painful, chaotic moments but to embrace them as a passing state. The less I push against the moment the more I am able to co-exist with whatever is going on. For instance, when at moments it's easier to retreat into a quiet space during the most chaotic times (LUNCH) at school, it's sometimes nice just to embrace it and interact with the kids. However, there are times it's important to take the space for myself. To kno...
What I learned through my Yoga Teacher Training is not to detach or push away painful, chaotic moments but to embrace them as a passing state. The less I push against the moment the more I am able to co-exist with whatever is going on. For instance, when at moments it’s easier to retreat into a quiet space during the most chaotic times (LUNCH) at school, it’s sometimes nice just to embrace it and interact with the kids. However, there are times it’s important to take the space for myself. To know what is the right time to engage in chaos, I have to know where I am emotionally and how balanced I am internally. And that kind of awareness takes work. I’d like to get to the point where I can choose a peaceful state of mind no matter what situation I’m in, so I can better help others and engage with them even when it’s so so challenging.
Sometimes, I feel like such an outlier, a stranger who processes the world differently from everybody around me, and this is one of those times.
I have--very thankfully--never experienced great chaos. But I have experienced stressful situations. I was once driving up a narrow, winding mountain road with a heavy volume of traffic when my car just stopped. In a moment, I pulled the emergency brake, managed to restart the car for long enough to pull off the road, and then called a tow truck, nev...
Sometimes, I feel like such an outlier, a stranger who processes the world differently from everybody around me, and this is one of those times.
I have–very thankfully–never experienced great chaos. But I have experienced stressful situations. I was once driving up a narrow, winding mountain road with a heavy volume of traffic when my car just stopped. In a moment, I pulled the emergency brake, managed to restart the car for long enough to pull off the road, and then called a tow truck, never panicking for a second.
In chaotic situations, I seem to have the ability to almost step out of myself, close down the responses that are not productive and find solutions as best I can. I find myself simply thinking, “This is where we are now, let’s get as fast as possible.” I am reminded of a quote I heard attributed to Peter Drucker (I have not confirmed this), “First, define reality. Then say, ‘Thank you.'”
exhaling and looking at something that brings me joy, whether it is my mini rock garden or the picture of my grandmother or even simply, a glass of water on my table.
By staying close to my breath, and as needed, calling on a brief meditation that I recite just to myself. If I remain centered and calm it prevents my energy from being sucked up into the chaos of the moment.
One thing that really seems to work is to think of my sweet plump cat, Lilly. When I’m home she is often right next to me, showing me her tummy and purring. I think of that when I’m stressed at work or in traffic and I always feel better.
My body automatically reacts to chaos by calming way down. When I was younger my house was tumultuous, and I used to dissociate when under severe stress. I think that’s why my body quiets. Luckily though now that im older, I can still stay present. So that’s an example of something good being cultivated out of something bad.
Thank you so much for this perspective on disassociation, Barbara. Good food for thought. I knew being able to disassociate saved my life, but I had not thought of cultivating its use in this positive sense.
Thanks for this Barbara. My growing up home sounds similar. I too have cultivated transforming disassociation into conscious presence. Sometimes the old patterns show up but less and less.
Take a moment to pause and reflect on what is going inside and outside of yourself. Breathe and any conscious response is better probably than a conditioned automatic one.
As it says in the St. Francis prayer, I can say, “Lord make me an instrument of Your Peace”. Thank-you to all for sharing your beautiful reflections!
Blessings????
standing still for a moment, become aware who I am – then continue as I need to. There is a chance to meet mySELF – being grateful for that I am. Continue.
In a very practical sense, I pull away physically if the environment is too chaotic. I sometimes enjoy a little chaos, some unexpected, unplanned events that cause my insides to rush, when there are many things happening at once...but there are times when I must have calm and peace...its then that I pull back and go to my special room in my house, it has colors and aromas that are appealing and I stay there for an hour or so until I’m regenerated and ready to face the chaos again. And then t...
In a very practical sense, I pull away physically if the environment is too chaotic. I sometimes enjoy a little chaos, some unexpected, unplanned events that cause my insides to rush, when there are many things happening at once…but there are times when I must have calm and peace…its then that I pull back and go to my special room in my house, it has colors and aromas that are appealing and I stay there for an hour or so until I’m regenerated and ready to face the chaos again. And then there’s walking in nature or in a crowded city where I am anonymous. My mind calms then as well.
Cultivating peace in the midst of chaos doesn’t necessarily meaning “feeling peaceful” or not being worried or upset. Instead, I think it is good to feel whatever it is you need to feel in the moment, but in the back of your head, remember that, at the end of the day, the world is good, and everything is okay. Life doesn’t have to be either/or; it can be both/and. Peace and anxiety are the ying and yang of a full life. To cultivate this, just focus on remembering that all is well and tha...
Cultivating peace in the midst of chaos doesn’t necessarily meaning “feeling peaceful” or not being worried or upset. Instead, I think it is good to feel whatever it is you need to feel in the moment, but in the back of your head, remember that, at the end of the day, the world is good, and everything is okay. Life doesn’t have to be either/or; it can be both/and. Peace and anxiety are the ying and yang of a full life. To cultivate this, just focus on remembering that all is well and that it is the hardest emotions and experiences that lead us to the greatest wisdom.
I can ask peace and harmony themselves, what is it that could cultivate more of you
Pausing to think about what I am about to say before actually saying it.
When times are chaotic, I often say something I don’t mean or something hurtful rather than pausing to gain control of myself and my emotions before responding.
In the midst of anxiety I remind myself that I have everything I need in this moment and that I’m fine, and when I’m not fine it’s time for action. I remind myself to listen to the mental script, to become aware of the programming. When we aren’t using our mind, it’s likely using us.
By remaining centered on ME, and Not the Moment.
What I learned through my Yoga Teacher Training is not to detach or push away painful, chaotic moments but to embrace them as a passing state. The less I push against the moment the more I am able to co-exist with whatever is going on. For instance, when at moments it's easier to retreat into a quiet space during the most chaotic times (LUNCH) at school, it's sometimes nice just to embrace it and interact with the kids. However, there are times it's important to take the space for myself. To kno...
What I learned through my Yoga Teacher Training is not to detach or push away painful, chaotic moments but to embrace them as a passing state. The less I push against the moment the more I am able to co-exist with whatever is going on. For instance, when at moments it’s easier to retreat into a quiet space during the most chaotic times (LUNCH) at school, it’s sometimes nice just to embrace it and interact with the kids. However, there are times it’s important to take the space for myself. To know what is the right time to engage in chaos, I have to know where I am emotionally and how balanced I am internally. And that kind of awareness takes work. I’d like to get to the point where I can choose a peaceful state of mind no matter what situation I’m in, so I can better help others and engage with them even when it’s so so challenging.
Not talking, going quiet, waiting it out, slowing the breath, holding the space.
Sometimes, I feel like such an outlier, a stranger who processes the world differently from everybody around me, and this is one of those times.
I have--very thankfully--never experienced great chaos. But I have experienced stressful situations. I was once driving up a narrow, winding mountain road with a heavy volume of traffic when my car just stopped. In a moment, I pulled the emergency brake, managed to restart the car for long enough to pull off the road, and then called a tow truck, nev...
Sometimes, I feel like such an outlier, a stranger who processes the world differently from everybody around me, and this is one of those times.
I have–very thankfully–never experienced great chaos. But I have experienced stressful situations. I was once driving up a narrow, winding mountain road with a heavy volume of traffic when my car just stopped. In a moment, I pulled the emergency brake, managed to restart the car for long enough to pull off the road, and then called a tow truck, never panicking for a second.
In chaotic situations, I seem to have the ability to almost step out of myself, close down the responses that are not productive and find solutions as best I can. I find myself simply thinking, “This is where we are now, let’s get as fast as possible.” I am reminded of a quote I heard attributed to Peter Drucker (I have not confirmed this), “First, define reality. Then say, ‘Thank you.'”
exhaling and looking at something that brings me joy, whether it is my mini rock garden or the picture of my grandmother or even simply, a glass of water on my table.
By staying close to my breath, and as needed, calling on a brief meditation that I recite just to myself. If I remain centered and calm it prevents my energy from being sucked up into the chaos of the moment.
One thing that really seems to work is to think of my sweet plump cat, Lilly. When I’m home she is often right next to me, showing me her tummy and purring. I think of that when I’m stressed at work or in traffic and I always feel better.
Love the power of Purr Therapy!
Remember that there is a place of rest beyond the turmoil of the world waiting to be entered into.
By a practice of peace when times are not tumultuous; then when chaos hits you have trained yourself to be at peace and can choose to be at peace.
My body automatically reacts to chaos by calming way down. When I was younger my house was tumultuous, and I used to dissociate when under severe stress. I think that’s why my body quiets. Luckily though now that im older, I can still stay present. So that’s an example of something good being cultivated out of something bad.
Thank you so much for this perspective on disassociation, Barbara. Good food for thought. I knew being able to disassociate saved my life, but I had not thought of cultivating its use in this positive sense.
Thanks for this Barbara. My growing up home sounds similar. I too have cultivated transforming disassociation into conscious presence. Sometimes the old patterns show up but less and less.
Take a moment to pause and reflect on what is going inside and outside of yourself. Breathe and any conscious response is better probably than a conditioned automatic one.
Stop/ breathe/listen…. then do it all again.
As it says in the St. Francis prayer, I can say, “Lord make me an instrument of Your Peace”. Thank-you to all for sharing your beautiful reflections!
Blessings????
Instill stillness.
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