How the Elements Can Ease Overwhelm
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Does the fast paced world we live in sometimes causes you to feel overwhelmed, and results in a shutdown where there is no passion, no impetus to move, or clarity about what to do?
I have learned that the elemental forces of earth, air, water, fire, and spirit can provide clarity and ease when I consciously engage them. I invite you to try some of these steps the next time you feel overwhelmed.
Recognizing what you are feeling (tired, over committed, burnt out, etc) then use the elements to nurture yourself.
There is no greater compass for what to do next then tapping into your own body wisdom (yes, everyone has it.) What does your body want…Rest? Exercise? Healthy food? Touch? The next, and sometimes less practiced, step is give your body what it wants as often as possible. No, really. If you stop often and ask your body what it needs and you give it exactly that, you will feel more vibrant, more in alignment and be glad to be in your body. Any thoughts that your body cannot be trusted or will somehow lead you astray will lessen the more gratitude you feel for your body.
The fastest way to get “unstuck” with the power of air is to breathe. In…out .as deeply as is comfortable, for at least ten breathes. Then, check in and see if some of that fog has lifted. If not, repeat the ten breathes with intention. Breathe in peace and breath out doubt.
Water helps us through our emotional realm. When in overwhelm, what feelings do you want to express. Ask yourself, what’s under the overwhelm? How can water assist me to rejuvenate? Where do I need to surrender and give up control or struggle? Drink plenty of water. One of the greatest energy zappers is dehydration, if you feel tapped out go some place quiet and enjoy a cup of tea, water with lemon, or any water based drink that feels good.
Sometimes when we are feeling like we don’t know which way to turn, let your body to do the walking! Move, dance, swim, take a stroll outside. The calm you seek may come only after you have physically moved the overwhelm out of your body. Notice if anything in your life needs to be let go. Releasing that which is no longer serving you frees up energy and space to allow your new creations to be born.
When overwhelmed give yourself compassion. Ask for guidance from Sprit about where you need upliftment.
The elements are always around us and within us. When we feel unclear, or we have become bogged down; using these or many other Natural Rhythms tools can bring clarity, lightness and ease back into your day.
Judy Keating Natural Rhythms™ facilitator and coach
Judy … I love your post. It is succinct, on point and useful. Readers are likely to notice the grace and ease with which they can employ your suggestions. I’m noticing and I’m grateful for these reminders.
Congratulations on publishing your first blog post. I look forward to receiving all the wisdom you have to share.
Loving and celebrating you, my treasured sister and friend … Eden
I wanted to add some thoughts about dealing with disaster. One entire weekend in the Natural Rhythms Process our circle spent on Saturn and another on Pluto instilled in me the idea that what seems to limitation and loss can be used to propel one forward, teaching how to proceed in little steps (Saturn) and how to jettison what is not really necessary (Pluto). This does not mean these learning experiences are not painful, they are. I had a Pluto cycle in which I lost my car, my horse, my jewelry, my marriage, my home, and my research in the Amazon. Now, I got a new car from my parents, I had kept that horse alive against all odds for three years, the jewelry was a burden as well as a joy, the marriage was not right and we all knew it, the home was too big and expensive and I like my new one, and well the research just didn’t get published with the photos but it was still worthwhile. Turns out, I actually did not need all of those things. I miss the horse the most! How did I cope? Support from the circles that went through it with me, including Lisa and Judy! Facing things head on, using parts of me that are tough (Mars in Aries, for example). Letting myself grieve, and go down into “depression” and retreat, so I could come back up out of that dark night of the soul…. There are no recipes but there are profound ways in which those “disasters” have freed me to be where I am today.
Thank you Rebecca, powerful personal example sharing of the cycles of change.
I am brave enough to share…
Everything I touch –changes. When in the midst of the ‘uncomfort’ (distress, confusion, saddness) –I touch it. Touch it really good– yes- it makes me FEEL stuff that I consider unpleasant. Yet acknowlege and honor it as my teacher. IT too shall pass/change.
As for using the elements as my guides:
-AIR- speak of the discomfort ‘it is what it is’.. sing it , cry it, chant it into the air as if I were telling its story of woe , all of it,untill voicless and panting as an exhausted animal- myself-feeling empty….then breathe in newness speaking prophetic words of (fresh life) healing, etc.
-WATER- cleansing, As if the blood/water were flowing out, allowing poisons to be released and into the healing seas. I drink, gargle, spit, splash, soak in it allowing emotions to flow freely with out restraint. New water pours in vibrating newness & strength in my blood.
-FIRE- lite it up & burn it, allow it to burn up. Watching transformation, from what it was, to a different form, ashes, burning candle or insence… smelling the elements change from solid to powder or liquid. ‘Uncomfort’ will change as I set it afire with a new insight/intent.
-EARTH- Dig deep and bury it . Allow it TIME to decay as needed, for it will be fertilizer for my NEW GROWTH. ‘MEANWHILE’… the compost will stink (uncomfortable to be close to). ‘MEANWHILE’(time) some times will SUCK.
-SPIRIT- to LEARN from the teacher of ‘uncomfort’. Eyes wide open allows me to see light and shadow. ( WITH OUT my monkey mind judging the heck out of it) EYES WIDE OPEN. MONKEY MOUTH SHUT.
–Thanks for the article.
It remeinded me that — As sister Haiti cries, I have, in spirit heard her cries and walk thru this with her, in a personal way.
eyes wide open.
With compassion of the priestess.
Wonderful tips Tess. Thank you.