Breathe and flow

Breathe, women.

If you remember anything today, remember to breathe.

I’m doing lots of conscious breathing lately. For so many reasons, this has been the hardest year of my life. Full of realizations and blessings, thus in many ways I feel I’m my best self yet. But, a relentless series of events have been pounding all year long.  And juuuuust when I thought I had my act slightly together, disaster went and struck again.

I seriously can’t wait for spring.

At this writing, I’m trying to get to the other side of the worst hurricane my area has experienced in many years. You saw the news — the one that destroyed properties and coastline. I’m still involved in the clean-up and helping others get back on their feet. I see devastation every day in front of me. Already worn down from the year’s events, I guess that’s why I’m having a hard time letting this one go.

So, I’m breathing. When I wake up. While I’m on a break. When I’m sweating, fidgeting, thinking. In between tears, and sometimes during. At least it’s something I can do. That simple, conscious act puts me in control, straightens me out for a moment, and gives me just enough to do the next thing.

That is, flow.

Deepak Chopra explains that evolution progresses out of flexibility and least resistance. I’ve been repeating that phrase when I need a reminder. Which, lately, is all the time. What a relief to know that flowing — simply being – is the surest way to move forward, allow in, and live out my purpose.

For me, flowing means letting go of trying to understand and sort out every last detail. It means letting go of controlling a situation or its outcome. No over-thinking. Less impatience and follow up. Flowing is the purest form of surrender, a trust in the goodness of life, and a faith that life has my back. My husband’s back. My kids’ backs. Because I need to flow for them, too.

It’s basically the opposite of everything I did before.

(Did that just feel real to you? Sometimes, when I explain it, it clicks for someone else.)

Flowing has always been hard for me. The truth is, I guess I never even knew I should be doing it. My controlling, perfectionist, very intense self was never even aware. Not until some years ago, when it hit me over the head, almost literally. Brute force and basic survival made flowing necessary. I needed to learn. So, I did.

I meet with women daily, many who’ve forgotten how to flow, or never learned in the first place. It’s difficult to convince high-achieving women who do too much they need to chill back and allow in. For some women, the need just isn’t there…yet. For others, no amount of convincing will make it real, until something happens to them, too.

At that moment, when this all becomes necessary, it’s like surrendering is all there is. No more fight. Breathing and flowing is about all you can do. Turns out, it’s the best you can do, too. Much as I can try to explain it, sometimes, women need to live it themselves, to fully understand.

With my coaching clients, I teach different ways to deal with emotions. Turns out breathing and flowing helps in all cases.

Please try to remember.

With much love,

As a coach, writer, recovered over-doer and busyness addict, I understand the challenges of creating a balanced, healthy lifestyle while the mind tries to sabotage your success. In my journey to vibrant health, I created a personalized health system of nutrition and supplementation, lifestyle changes, and I retrained my mind and the energy of my body. I view my success as the formula to my happy, healthy life. I now empower other women to create their own personalized formulas, including the tools and strategies just right for them! Amazing life shifts come from our relationships. I look forward to helping you, too!