CREATING A MINDFUL STRATEGY OF SELF-CARE

Tuning in to the four essential sections of our ‘orchestra’ can bring harmony. WRITER: SERGE MAZERAND

In a world of massive disruption and distraction, of obsessive connection to the internet and to our devices, ironically, we have come to lose the most important connection: the relationship with our essential self. In subtle and less subtle ways, this disconnection creates significant stress and anxiety that often lead to illness.

So, how do we reconnect?

The key is awareness. It is also called mindfulness, consciousness, vigilance, and, more simply, paying attention. However, it is far more than that; it is a way of being.

Awareness could be compared to an embedded antenna that allows us to effortlessly scan our inner and outer environment. Being a musician, I call it the art of listening to the subtle music that plays within.

In my new book, “7 Keys to Serenity: Creating Harmony Within”—a musical metaphor—awareness is the first key, one that plays in synergy with all others and allows us to truly become the composers and conductors of our lives. The biggest challenge to awareness is that most of us live in “autopilot” mode, meaning that many of our thoughts, words, and actions are created by our subconscious mind. We think one thing and say something else.

We say one thing and, again, do something else entirely. Sound familiar? Thoughts, words, and actions create subtle energies which, when not aligned, generate dissonance and therefore inner conflict.

Awareness allows us to produce coherence and implement a convergent strategy of self-care throughout the four essential sections of our “orchestra”: the physical, the mental, the emotional, and the spiritual.

Self-care isn’t about being selfish or self-centered in a narcissistic way. It is about nurturing and empowering ourselves with self-love, self-respect, and self-esteem.

If we don’t love, respect, and care for ourselves, chances are we won’t be able to care for others either.

How does a strategy of self-care unfold in day-to-day life?

Physically, we become aware of the “information” we take in through food, drink, and any other substances that we ingest (drugs, medications, etc.).

Everything we absorb has a specific frequency that interconnects with the frequencies of our cells, creating either harmony or dissonance––hence the importance of listening carefully to our bodies. Thus, we become aware of our internal rhythms, of breathing deeply, of balance between movement and rest.

Mentally, we also learn to become mindful of the information we absorb: the junk news, the manipulative news, the false news, the trivial, and the many ubiquitous distractions we are tempted by every day. We learn to filter what comes into our mind, in turn creating clarity and coherence.

In the emotional section of our orchestra, we attune to the energy of our feelings. Ignoring them or repressing them creates subtle energy blockages that often lead to the onset of psychosomatic illnesses.

Emotions are like waves in the ocean. They can smash us to pieces or carry us to bliss. Rather than suppress them, we need to express them, yet manage them by tapping in to what is called the “heart intelligence.”

Lastly, in the spiritual section—the section of the heart and soul—we learn to assess the validity of our beliefs, many of which are acquired by conditioning.

We become aware of who we are at the core and begin to live in authenticity. We learn to trust and believe in ourselves and to harness the inner powers that lie within us.

These four sections are all interconnected in holistic fashion. What happens in one affects the others.

Our health and wellness and, ultimately, our happiness is shaped by how mindful we are in creating and implementing this strategy of self-care.

Insights can be found by investigating your inner voice.

WRITER: BRIDGET WEBBER

People often try to get rid of negative thoughts, imagining they are unhelpful. However, your thoughts contain hidden messages. Untapped, they are just endless streams of data. To learn, you have to be willing to listen. Here’s why negative thoughts exist and how to use them to your advantage.

Why you have negative thoughts

You might see your critical voice as an enemy because you feel unhappy when it surfaces. However, the discomfort experienced begins before the voice speaks. A stimulus triggers negativity and the voice echoes your emotions.

For instance, you might feel upset if you see dirty dishes in the sink when it’s not your turn to wash up. The voice tells you the person who was supposed to do the dishes doesn’t care about you. The emotion appears first followed by negative thinking.

What are negative thoughts?

Negative thoughts are part of your internal guidance system. They are meant to help you find your way in life. When you fight against them, you miss vital insights and opportunities to heal. The voice helps you notice your emotions so you can work on unhealed aspects of your psyche.

The negative thoughts in the scenario above could trigger a painful argument if you don’t explore them. When examined, however, they inspire self-awareness. The underlying emotion wants you to recognize it is fear of not being loved. Exploring it can lead to understanding and a positive resolution.

How to understand the emotions behind negativity

The fears beneath negative thinking often originate in childhood. If your need for love and acceptance go unfulfilled, your mind highlights similar events in the future. Your mind wants to resolve the unfinished business of the past.

The next time you notice negative thoughts, look behind them. Find where they originate. Sit somewhere quiet, close your eyes, and ask for a memory of the event that triggered negativity. The episode might be monumental or insignificant. Childhood traumas and misunderstandings can both be triggered later in life.

Recalling triggering events lets you see through fresh eyes. You have knowledge and experience now, and your wisdom helps you understand what happened. Also, uncovering what causes your feelings throws light on how you react to events. As a result, you comprehend why you feel as you do.

Negative thoughts offer valuable insights if you search beneath them. Investigating them reveals parts of your psyche that want attention. Use your internal voice to go back to painful emotions from your past. When you identify unresolved issues, study them and heal them with understanding. The more problems you uncover, the less negativity you’ll meet in the future.