Sundaze: change and permanence
individual, capacity, motion
There is an inherent opposition to change in all of us. We harbor a fear of the unknown, i.e. a reluctance to challenge the status quo. There is a reason why a presidential campaign was “Change we can believe in” and not “Change we believe in”.
It’s the first law of motion, inertia is the tendency of objects in motion to stay in motion and objects at rest to stay at rest, unless a force causes its speed or direction to change.
Note a few things:
i. force may be internal/external, a stimuli
ii. this force impacts either speed or direction or both.
a. speed - it can be a catalyst or cause you to pump the brakes
b. direction - it can shift your perspective
In Newton’s study, we learn there is indeed capacity for change. What keeps some people away from change then, assuming consistency in neuro/physical health?
The mind.
It’s one person’s conviction in unchanging permanence versus another’s belief in the transformative nature of everything. It’s the unsettling feeling you can’t get rid of when you continue as is. The realist side of me understands change isn’t always positive and yet somehow something we cannot escape - for better or for worse.
“l've observed two types of people: those resistant to change, sticking to the idea that people dont change; and those who not only accept change but actively seek constant personal development”, Aziya writes.
Believing you are not capable of change, overall or about one particular thing, is the narrative you tell yourself. Deeply held beliefs subconsciously influence people's behavior. Assess why you hold this belief. Core beliefs are resistant to change, even in the face of competing evidence.
Mindfulness gets us out the door but what keeps us going?
Discipline breeds consistency breeds results.
- Coach Sashah
What is one long-held belief you keep about yourself?
Example: I am not a good runner.
Define good. Think about what you have done so far in trying to be “good”, if anything. Challenge it. Can you start with 30 min walks everyday?
Solo date idea:
I promised last week we’d pick up where we left off with our feelings. As a refresher, we identified where we feel each negative emotion in our body. This week, pick one of these emotions and set aside 15 mins to dive deeper into it.
Where do you feel this emotion?
What color is it?
How much space does it take?
Does it move or stay in place?
Close your eyes and visualize the emotion in your body.
Now, I do this in my workshops, but sharing a teaser here:
Write down how that felt and where you felt it. Try to reach it somatically, whatever feels good for your body. Some examples:
Block in stomach - massage it.
Tightness in hips or limbs - stretch.
Heart feels heavy - breathe in 4, out for 6. Repeat at least four times.
Let me know how it goes.
Aaisha