ENERGETIC WELLNESS We all experience different energy states in different circumstances. Sometimes our energy level is low, sometimes it is high. We feel anxious, confused, resentful, angry, indecisive, or just plain exhausted. Our energy is drained and needs a boost. Think of the times when your energy wanes. What are the circumstances? At other times we feel exhilarated, enthusiastic, excited or passionate about ourselves and our lives. Our energy levels are high. Recapture those moments in your mind. Also think about what happens with others around you when your energy state changes. Sometimes when we ‘feel awful’ we find that, particularly children, will act as mirrors for our energy states and reflect these back when we least need it. Most of us have also experienced sudden changes in energy levels. Perhaps you have had a demanding day in the classroom and find yourself emotionally depleted and physically tired. An after school professional development session is the last thing you want to do. However an hour and half later you emerge feeling energised and animated, because you were given the opportunity to become engaged and connected to stimulating ideas and shared minds. Alternatively you may end up feeling even more drained and energy-less if the session was didactic and uninvolving. What happens to evoke such transformative shifts in energy levels? From the new sciences and the growing synergy with Eastern philosophies, we are recognising the universe as a vast field of energy; that all energy is interconnected and influenced by human consciousness. Each one of us is capable of creating energy and sending it out into the world and affecting other energy systems. Likewise the energy sources from other people and from nature impact on our personal energy states. When we can appreciate a magnificent scene in nature or respond with gratitude to the beautiful qualities in another person, we are connecting with this universal energy. Some people are literally able to see energy, eg. auras around people. This enhances their own energies by simply experiencing it. Some people might feel it in the power of a spectacular sunset; the vibration of a roaring waterfall; the graceful movement of a galloping horse; the warmth of the Reiki healer’s hands! Just visualising such images can generate energy within us if we are open and receptive. We can increase our vitality by shifting our consciousness to seeing energy around people, places and within nature. There are times when we find ourselves also feeling drained or depleted by other people. We find ourselves in conflictual situations actively competing for energy with another person. This is often a struggle for power or attention with that person. We generate a negative energy exchange, as we struggle for power. All conflict is a human exchange. When we seek to manipulate another person, we can force that person’s attention and so boost our own energy at the cost of weakening theirs. The energy we gain (or lose) in such situations is short lived however. True energy comes from a universal source within our souls, not from another person.
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(C) Creating Resilient Educators
