Samain and the Moon of Growing Darkness
Monday gratefuls: Israel. Palestinians. Hezbollah. Hamas. Iran. U.S.A. China. Korea. Japan. Taiwan. Hawai’i. Snow. Cold night. Good sleeping. Cooking. Mark, good self care. Mary. Pleasure. Sticking it out. Nexus. A.I. Small tasks to get done. Agency.
Sparks of Joy and Awe: Coffee
Kavannah: Perseverance and Love
One brief shining: Silence when I go to bed, a Mountain stillness fills my property, peace radiates from the cosmic void punctuated by oh so tiny from my perspective Stars, Galaxies, and Nebulae, and I approach sleep with the attitude of a learner, what will my unconscious teach me this night knowing that in the morning I will awake refreshed and ready to live yet one more life. Love.
A feeling that dominated the end of the Ancient Brothers on love. For me. Enough. I’ve had enough. My emotional resilience has drained until the pool is nearly empty. Not enough of love, never enough of love. But of problem solving, of illness and death and the ascendance of cruelty and meanness in our country. I need to consider how to refill the pool in case I need to take a deep dive. Right now? Probably break my neck.
This feeling surprised me. As most of you know, I’m a put my head down, keep the legs churning sorta guy. Switching metaphors here. Even a rushing linebacker would find me making a spin move and heading for open field. In this moment I’d get tackled just beyond the line of scrimmage. An odd word, scrimmage, eh?
I’m fine. Not down or feeling melancholy. Just aware that I need something to help me restore my soul. Refresh it. Not sure what I can do. Think I’ll ask Rabbi Jamie.
Here’s what chatbotgpt4.o has to offer.* Good advice. Not quite specific enough for me.
Perhaps the keys for me right now are 6 and 7. Maintain my new workout regimen, step it up as I planned to do this week anyhow. Positive outlook. I don’t have a negative outlook, but I don’t have a positive one either.
I do look forward to more Snow, Fire in the fireplace, to the many celebrations of Holiseason. I look forward to reading more, talking with friends as I regularly do. Going to mussar. Thanksgiving with Ruth and Gabe. Petting Leo. Continuing to see Ruth in Boulder. My son’s visit in January. A visit to Korea in May.
Self care never ends. Well, until it does. But how we do it, what we do has to be nimble, adaptive to changed circumstances.
Let’s see. Perhaps counting the ways could be helpful.
Practice self-compassion: The Ancient Brothers. Alan and Joanne. Marilyn and Irv. Ginny and Janice. Luke and Leo. Ruth and Gabe. Acknowledging the challenges I’ve had and how I’ve faced them head on, not blinking. Thrived.
Mindfulness and relaxation: I do box-breathing. I pay attention, close attention, to the sacred in the ordinary. If stressed, I pick out five things I’m seeing or hearing right then. Once in a while l use a mantra to deepen an experience or go deep in my psyche.
Maintain Social Connections: I’ve become so much better at this after Kate died. I talk to friends and family often.
Develop Problem-Solving Skills: Bandaged my gushing finger. Keep my home going. Write about problems, ask friends for help. Pretty good at this.
Goals and Actions: A little light on this one right now. Trip to Korea. Maintaining my circle of friends. That’s about it.
Seek Professional Help: May reach out to Rabbi Jamie. I feel essentially ok, just depleted.
Chatbotgpt4.o
*Replenishing emotional resilience involves adopting strategies that enhance your ability to cope with stress and adversity. Here are several approaches to consider:
- Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend. This involves acknowledging your struggles without harsh self-criticism and recognizing that difficulties are a shared human experience.
- Engage in Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga into your routine. These activities can help manage stress and improve emotional regulation.
- Maintain Social Connections: Building and nurturing relationships provides emotional support and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for resilience. Engage with friends, family, or community groups to foster these connections.
- Develop Problem-Solving Skills: Enhance your ability to tackle challenges by brainstorming potential solutions and taking proactive steps. This approach can boost confidence in your capacity to handle adversity.
- Set Realistic Goals and Take Decisive Actions: Break down larger objectives into manageable steps and take action toward achieving them. This process can provide a sense of accomplishment and forward momentum.
- Cultivate a Positive Outlook: Focus on positive aspects of your life and practice gratitude. This mindset can broaden your perspective and build psychological resources over time.
- Prioritize Physical Health: Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet contribute to overall well-being, which supports emotional resilience. Physical activity, in particular, has been shown to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Seek Professional Support When Needed: If you find it challenging to cope, consider consulting a mental health professional who can provide personalized strategies and support.