today’s musings about how to instigate change led me to the point that i often feel when trying to make the leap from rationalizing/ recognizing something, and then actually shifting: i felt stuck! stuck, and confused. it has a little disheartening to realize that, despite all my intense work around identifying my compulsive thoughts, habitual behaviors, and conditioned responses, i don’t quite know how to change them. in mindfulness workshops and classes, folks talk and talk and talk about how that first step, the becoming aware, is the most essential -- but then what? in some situations, i see how recognizing can lead to dramatic shifts, as simply stopping compulsive thoughts or actions, even for a brief moment, is a tremendously powerful way to shift and focus on something else (effectively “breaking a pattern” of self-sabotage or destruction). however, what about if i’m having strong emotions about something? for example, what if i’m really lonely? yeah, it’s great in concept to recognize that -- but if i’m stuck in my room, alone, late at night, with no companions and no one to reach out to, then i’m not sure how to remedy that underlying feeling without reaching to the things i know feel soothing.
with all this buzzing, i put the question out there, and universe gave me a sweet response, via a beautiful facebook post from a friend of mine! she is a forrest yoga practitioner, and shared “the formula for change” that ana forrest has cultivated and shared. i find both ana and her yoga methodologies to be deeply powerful; full of potent wisdom for both the body and the spirit. but, before i get wrapped up in a web of compliments, let me share the aforementioned formula, quoted directly from Anne Hyde (thank you, Anne!).
Forrest Yoga Formula for Change:
1. Catch yourself in a behavior or thought process that you want to change.
2. Stop! The key is that you noticed. Congratulate yourself lavishly. You are about to change a habit! Do not self mutilate (aka think you're stupid for doing the habit), as that will cause numbness.
3. Breathe fully 3 to 10 times to connect to your authentic self. Pause, notice what you're doing or how you feel, and change your physiology: lengthen your spine, activate your feet, feel the ground, etc.
4. Ask yourself, "What is one healing and helpful thing I can do for myself right now?" For example, continue to breathe and create a new story that you can put into action right now. Make yourself how you want to be.
how lovely is that, friends? i think my favorite word in there is “lavishly;” i love the idea of congratulating myself simply for becoming aware. i’m going to play with these ideas over the next few days. if i hit enlightment before the rest of y’all, i’ll let you know ;)
