What I do to sustain ME when the going gets tough…

In a recent post, Lillas shared her experience of asking leaders what they do to sustain themselves when the going gets tough. The leaders’ responses fell into two categories: connecting to self and connecting to others.

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Spring at Wanuskewin

In the past couple of years, both Lillas and I have had our share of obstacles and challenges, and often the ‘going has been tough’, very tough. We’ve researched, tried out, and shared many ‘practices’ to help sustain us when the stress is mounting. We appreciate a perspective summarized in an article on Positive Renewal: can you even keep going. They suggest that as stress builds we need to give proportional time and preparation to practices that reverse the effects of chronic stress and enable our body and mind to renew and rebuild. They provide a mini assessment to help determine a‘renewal ratio’ (renewal score over stress score).

My ‘go to’ renewal practice is to find some time to be in nature. Just walking the green earth, watching the clouds, walking by the beach, noticing the birds, being with the colours nature serves us, brings me back to myself, to what is important, to some peace.

I often sit with a beautiful passage from the writing of Zen Buddhist monk, poet and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh:

~ Our true home is in the present moment.
To live in the present moment is a miracle.

The miracle is not to walk on water.
The miracle is to walk the green earth in the present moment,
to appreciate the beauty and peace that are available now.
Peace is all around us -.
in the world and in nature –
and within us –
in our bodies and our spirits.
Once we learn to touch this peace,
we will be healed and transformed.
It is not a matter of faith;
It is a matter of practice.

 From Present Moment Wonderful Moment: Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living

We’d love to hear from you…what is your ‘go to’ practice to help sustain you when the going gets tough?

Linda