How do you start your day? I ask this because it is important and sets the tone for what is to come.
Wherever I am, each morning I start the day by visiting a grounding tree, one that can provide wisdom, insight and direction for the coming day. This particular morning I was instructed and reminded of the importance of getting my fuel in for the day and staying hydrated so that I could be grounded and able to sustain throughout the day. Taking my instruction, I moved forward. Optimistic and hopeful about the day and what was to come.
I was going to meet a friend for brunch but wanted some fuel to get going. I stopped for a matcha and some sweet bread, trusting that a meal with more sustenance was on it’s way. As I started getting ready for the day and packing my bag, I included my charger. I never pack a charger, but something was telling me that it would be needed, that recharging would be required at some point. Little did I know that this would be symbolic of my own needs.
The plans started quickly changing. The meet up was being pushed back which meant my plans for food and the day I envisioned was being altered, testing my ability to be flexible. Being out of my yoga practice for the last week or so, mentally and physically, I have not been as flexible or feeling as strong as I typically do. What is reflected in the body, shows up in the mind. In these moments when I have been tested, my results have been lacking. The mental back and forth for how I wanted the day to go quickly ensued and when my mind takes over it is often hard to move forward because it is not always in alignment with the rest of me, heart and body. The two spaces I am rebuilding a relationship with.
The day was slipping away from me, sunlight too. I needed to make a decision. I set out for the day just needing to get somewhere but had no real plan, no intention. I forgot that my body needed real sustenance because my mind was on go, focused on a destination. If I have learned anything it is that the journey is the destination and everything that happens in the inbetween is what life is about. So I set out on foot for about a hour or so, quickly getting frustrated and running out of hydration, realizing “you haven’t eaten yet”. It’s hard to make any sound decisions or access executive functioning if your basic needs have not been met. My mission became food, something of sustenance to hold me over. Unfortunately, my lack of patience led me to getting another quick fix, a slice of pizza. A thin one at that. I devoured it, like a dog that hadn’t been fed in days. It did the job enough to help me regroup, pause, and decide on a course ahead. In my heart I wanted to spend the day writing and at the park. So I asked my inner child what do you want to do, remembering these days aren’t just about me, that she and I are spending time together. “I just want to play”, she said. I went back to the original plan to start at the park that sparked joy. Let’s have some fun. I ordered an uber and tried to remain hopeful, glad I was back on my path.
Along the way I stopped for flowers. The other intention I had for the day, be a walking flower. On days when I am having a tough time, I like to buy myself sunflowers or buy sunflowers to pass out to others to spread some light and joy, giving the first one to the uber driver who graciously pulled over so I could purchase them. His face lit up. My day was resetting.
When I arrived at the park, there was a lady blowing bubbles, my favorite! I let my inner child out to play, following and popping the bubbles. The joy spreading back into my body. Then there was a man juggling a soccer ball, I asked to join. My body needed an outlet, to move, some expression. I played long enough to notice my energy levels depleting. Again, no food and forgetting to hydrate. My mind wanted to forge forward. On to the next place so I can sit quietly and write. Instead of going to a nearby cafe, I went back to the area I was in earlier to retrace my steps. Anytime you go backward you are draining more energy. I arrived and was immediately overwhelmed by the people and did not have the energy to battle a crowd. Back to the park. Battery low.
That charger I brought with me to start the day was needed, however the more important battery was my own and I still was not charging it. Instead of fueling myself like I had been instructed, I continued to drain myself. Back and forth. Back and forth. The optimism and hope that had started returning, quickly depleting. By the time I finally was meeting up with the friend for a meal that would bring comfort I had no energy to be present for it. Our conversation was quick but fulfilling and I got the food to go. Both me and my inner child drained from all of the running around for the day and ready to be home. Leaving the remaining flowers with her and her daughter.
Leave a little Love wherever you go.
I share all of this as an example of the importance of fueling yourself and caring for yourself throughout the day, especially at the start. Plans change, things come up, flexibility is necessary and the true test of strength is the foundation you are building it on. If your basic needs are not met, you can’t expect your mind and body to function at it’s optimal strength. This puts a lot of weight and pressure on the heart and quickly drains it’s battery. So when the time comes to step up in a moment, to be present fully, to allow yourself to be open to what the day has in store for you do you have the capacity to receive? Have you poured into yourself in the ways that you need to receive all that is waiting for you.
When you set out for the day, when you go to charge your phone or laptop, ask yourself, have I charged myself too.
Sending Love,
Grace
love the idea of giving flowers just because. going to have to do that. "live a little love wherever you go" :)
Love!