Yesterday was a crummy day. I felt the continued need to push and push to get past my funk. Yet, there seemed to be no end in sight. I have my standard ‘go to' set of methods for when I have days like these. We all know the get your work done, nose tot the grind method. But, aside from getting work done, attending to deadlines, and assisting clients, the mountain of to do's that looms over can get put off when I am not feeling in the flow.
I believe in filling my mind, and my heart with positive and loving information. I read, listen to audio books, listen to music. I try to meditate, but that one takes a little more effort because my mind is usually in 6th gear. Yep, 6th!
So, I have a standard go to system for my – You've Get to out of Your Funk, Girl! days. Here are my methods. Maybe they will be helpful next time you are not in the flow of inspiration:
Method #1 –Ask myself inspirational based questions. Such as, “What can feed me a better attitude.” Then, I engage in some kind of positive external like music, reading or journal writing.
Method #2 – Move My Body. Get to the gym, go for a walk, dance around your home. Do something to shake it off! NOW.
Method #3 – Meditate. – If I can get myself to slow down enough, I will sit and get quiet. This is challenging for me. I find it even more so living in the city. But, I do my best. I find it helps to use a guided meditation with headphones.
Method #4 – When all else fails, and I can NOT seem to get a grasp on things, I watch TV. It's my last resort, the bottom of the bag. It seems to do the trick, though. No news, nothing serious. Because a little mind numbing TV can take your brain right out of it's funk so you can get back to the importance of living a full life.
Method #5 – Last night, after I had been through all of my methods and the crummy day left me with a crummy evening, I created a new method of my system. Method #5 I call it: Aung San Suu Kyi
Do you know who she is? If you'll allow me, I'd like to share with you how I was introduced to the story of this heroic, brave, graceful and respected woman.
Looking back, I realized that these two events happened within the same year. Which is even more amazing and shows it's weight in my life experience.
My husband and I got a call on a Thursday afternoon durig the holiday season of 2011. A friend had tickets to the private screening and after party of a movie called “The Lady.” We had about two hours to get our stuff together and get over there if we were to attend. In perfect, impromptu fashion, we ran around and made it happen. We walked past Central Park we stopped at the Plaza and took in the holiday decorations there. It was a great evening.
The movie “The Lady” and the story of Aung San Suu Kyi moved me. It was the kind movie that leaves you warmed, full of question and awe. How does one person act so selflessly and bravely?
The description of the movie on IMDB, states “It's the story of Aung San Suu Kyi as she becomes the core of Burma's democracy movement, and her relationship with her husband, writer Michael Aris.” This women was under house arrest in Burma for 15 years because she was standing up for her people. Her family; her husband and two sons, were in London unable to be with her. When they tried the government made it very difficult. It was a great sacrifice for all of them.
Earlier that year, I was at Lincoln Center getting some work done at the Atrium. They started setting up for the weekly free concert on Thursday evenings. The music started, we packed up our work and stayed to enjoy.
I fell in love with the music performed by “Morley.” I purchased all three of here CD's sold that evening. They became healing sounds for me for months to come. It wasn't until I saw the movie later that year that I understood the lyrics in one of the songs that I had listened to over and over for months.
In one of her songs, “Women of Hope,” Morley sings about, Aung San Suu Kyi. The lyrics are,” When the people asked her what to do? She says, if you feel helpless, help someone. If you feel helpless, help someone.”
On days like yesterday, when I go to my usual methods and find no avail, I dig deeper. Yesterday, my digging brought me back to this. I heard the lyrics playing over and over in my mind. I saw the visions of the movie “The Lady” flash past me like I was watching it all over again. And, I remembered.
It took all day for me to move out of this crummy place. By the time I was going to sleep, I was feeling it lift.
Today, I helped someone. It is such a freeing feeling. Fortunately, I was able to get out of my own way and I am now back to living life to it's fullest.
Some days it comes easily. Other days, it takes a little reminder. Every day will present it's own set of circumstances.
Do you have a system in place to connect with what means the most?
Do you have a method for yourself to get back in the flow?
Share with me your story, your system, your methods below. We can help each other in so many ways when we share the truths of working toward a better life, work and world with inspiration.
