Reset Your Day - Reset Your Day: Clear Your Mind and Start Fresh

I keep trying to fully learn this lesson. And it’s ironic because I teach it: listen and notice signals from your body and your energy. The horses teach this well. Ray Hunt says that when you’re working with horses, try to notice what happens before what happens happens—I just love that concept! When I’m on the back of a horse I try to sense what is happening with the horse, where his attention is and what he is feeling… It keeps me safer and in tune with my horse. But in my life, I sometimes check out and ignore all the signs that things are getting out of control. I push too hard, go too fast and take on too much, rushing through life like it’s a race. And then what happens? I get sick. Run down. De-energized.

So here I am, sick. With a blazing throat, stuffed head, and achy body. Lying in bed under a soft blanket propped up with down pillows. I think it was a few weeks ago when I started to feel tired and run down. I wasn’t sleeping well, I was running from one appointment to the next and I didn’t make time for me. That’s usually a good clue and I usually stop and realign my energy. This time I didn’t pay attention, and I’m really sick with bronchitis. For the past week, I’ve been sleeping, reading, sitting in the sun and just not doing much of anything. It’s what I needed. And I know that when I feel better, I’m going to manage my self better.

So I’m passing this lesson on to you. Pay attention. I believe we all have these signs in life, these signals that tell us we’re not fully present. They show up in our energy, our bodies and our feelings. And if we become aware of them, we can avoid getting off course, feeling stressed and needing to stop. Our bodies get sick so we have to.

Here are some of my signals:

I don’t make time for exercise. I put it off, make excuses and think I can get away with it. Well, at any age it’s not a good idea, but as we get older it’s catastrophic.

• My desk is messy. I don’t have time to clear it (how long can that take…maybe 10 minutes?). And yet, I don’t make time. Things pile up and I start to feel overwhelmed and stressed.
• I don’t return phone calls quickly. I put off calling people back because I don’t want to take the time to talk.
• I’m rushing places and driving too fast. This is unpleasant and dangerous.
• I don’t ride my horse or spend time with my dogs. These are great pleasures in my life and when I don’t do them, I know I’m not taking enough time for me.
• I jump out of bed and start working, doing, or moving, instead of embracing the day with grace and gratitude.
• Work that I usually enjoy feels like a burden. This is a clear sign I either need to change course or step back and take more time.

So, what are your signs that things are getting out of control, before they actually get out of control? I suggest you make a list and pay attention to them. Bring them into your consciousness. If you can discover what happens before what happens happens, you can steer your life in the direction you want it to go.