For those who don’t live in the USA, our presidential elections are just a few days away, and voting, using our voice and taking intentional action has never been more apparent and important.
I am sorry to say, but I don’t have a magical pill to give you that can take the anxiety and overwhelm away. I don’t have a sexy mindset trick you can practice.
I do want to share that the most powerful thing you can do for yourself to get through these next few days and maybe weeks is to breathe. I know it’s so simple, that it can feel like a given...like duuhhh Wade, of course I will breathe. But I really mean it. If you consistently practice this technique, it will change your life.
Gently and simply turn your attention to your breath at various moments throughout your day and say to yourself: “I am breathing in” on the inhale and “I am breathing out” on the exhale. Again and again. When you wake up first thing and feel your heart racing like you are already behind. Before you eat your meals. When you are transitioning to bed. When you have empty space in your day and notice you want to fill it with social media. When you are in a meeting and notice your mind wanders to what you want to eat for lunch….
Turn your focus and awareness to simply be on the breath. When you notice your breath, you are in the present moment, which means your mind isn’t catastrophizing the future or ruminating on the past.
I remind myself that my breath is my personal super power. I can breathe with more awareness at any moment and no one has to know I am doing a “mindfulness technique.” This practice gives me strength to do hard things. Whether I am gearing up for a public speaking event, holding a plank, getting my flu shot or trying to communicate my feelings to a loved one, my breath is there to give me strength and clarity to keep going.
If your breath is a triggering place to be right now, try asking yourself “what do I hear right now?” Listen to the sounds rise, shift, change and decline. Discover the rhythm of sounds moment to moment as they pass through the ear and into the mind. Notice how the sounds make you feel.
With our breath we can all have strength to meet the moment as it arises. And know that whatever happens after Nov 3rd, we will be able to face it with our breath.