“I just want to find normal again,” sighs a dear friend. I acknowledge the frustration with a nod, responding, “I believe this is trending.” She cracks a smile, and I begin my diatribe about how more people are choosing analog over scrolling. More controlled time on social media, more in-person learning, more meet-and-greets.
How can we find normal appears to be the question on anyone with a conscience’s mind as ‘Merica loses itself in transition to karma. Karma is my only way of understanding the blasphemy that has befallen. Every day our spirits shrink from the foul immorality and unconscious destruction; appalled by leadership aligned with cruelty and weakness, obliterating truth and beauty. It was our great hope that we shelved the patriarchy years ago, but as the saying goes, here we are. So how do we find some semblance of normalcy in the persistence of this evil mist?
For those of you who follow mystics, healers, astrologers, acupuncturists, and the like of alternative medicine modalities (like me), undoubtedly, you are familiar with, or even being bombarded by, nervous system regulation. And that is because remaining somewhat stable in these messy times requires a deliberate effort, established daily rituals that bring us back to ourselves, into the wonder of nature and conscious gratitude. Even the most modest types of conscious gratitude -par example, simply breathing can help us to shift our focus, often creating immediate energy shifts, uploading our psyches to help us pursue an overall well-being to realms of higher vibrations, far away from the fuckery.
Add a few subtle breathing and movement techniques and no one at the airport, in line at the grocery store, or during a family event will take notice, EXCEPT that these small pauses, practiced repeatedly, do shift our energy, focus, and attention. Here is the fun part: we become the ripple that floods the magnetic effect of calm. Others are drawn to us. We are the benefit. We not only shift our energy, but we shift the room. Truth.
With our transcendence, we participate in the larger possibilities of that only source, god/goddess, love, the universe, divine intelligence, whatever you choose to call it; being part of something bigger than tech can only hope to divine - gives us back our own autonomy and the sense of belonging that all humans crave. Add a smile, keep a watchful eye out for beauty, a wee spark that ignites your soul; and heart expansion is yours for the keeping. Normal, and I might add, happiness becomes the standard that we feel in our body and psyche.
Humans long for connection, beauty, stories, myths, and rituals; I do not believe we are designed for the blindness of singularity, to merely take part in production and consumption. Our desires are more... shall I say, juicy? Keeping life juicy is to keep it alive and joyful. Lose the juice, lose the magic, lose the raison d’etre.
With the holidays around the corner, here are a few easy-peasy nervous system regulation and calming techniques.
My Favs:
I do this daily, sitting upright before meditating and lying down before bed. Also, if any situation arises that triggers me emotionally.
Place your left hand over the heart (left is the femme/receiving side) and right hand over the stomach. Taking a deep breath in through the nose, hold for a bit at the top, and release the breath through the mouth easily for as long as possible. Repeat several times or until calm prevails. Works great sitting in airports.
Facial Release
There are many points on the face that help bring about calm. Unassuming and natural take your index fingers to gently massage the jawline point where the gums meet the teeth on either side of your face. Slow, rhythmic breathing while simultaneously massaging both sides. This not only helps soothe, but it can help us to process hidden emotions and memories.
Pressure Drop
A pressure point on the top of the foot can elevate stress and bring us back into the body. Between your big and second toe, using your thumb, find the soft or sensitive spot approximately an inch down from the center of the toes and massage. Do this on both feet. Often, one side is more sensitive than the other. This connects to the lung meridian as well, which helps dispel grief, anxiety, and despair. Doing this before bed also helps promote sleep.
Stay true world,
MGH