Sleepless in…October? A mantra for turning in.
If you were to ask me what I think the world needs more of right now it would be this: People who know how to self regulate.
You might read that and think — what does that even mean? But we will get to that in a bit. First, let me tell you a story.
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About a week ago I was not sleeping well, at all. I was restless / couldn’t fall asleep and I was waking up multiple times a night. If you know me, you know that I am a great sleeper — I fall asleep fast and stay asleep most nights. I have a lot of change going on at the moment and was feeling extra sensitive to life in general.
{Yes, stress still affects even us meditating / mantra reading / self-care gurus}.
One of those nights I tossed and turned for almost two hours while trying to fall asleep. My brain was giving me an instant replay of the last two years. Of every negative story I heard on the news or via social media. Every stress of my own and even those of people close to me were running through my mind. I was frustrated and annoyed and discouraged before falling asleep that night.
The next day before my meditation (after deciding that meditation was going to be the first on my to-do list that week) I chose to pull a mantra card — trusting that I would receive a message that I needed to hear that day.
The card stated this:
“When I focus on my inner light I see the world through the lens of love.”
It clicked for me instantly. Here I was focusing on everything but myself, creating all of this negativity and losing sleep because of things that were outside of my own control. What good did that do me — or anyone else? No good at all, it just left me tired and frustrated with the world around me.
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Now back to the question — what does self regulation have to do with my stress & the rest of the world?
It means that when we learn to turn inward {first}, focusing on our own light, not only are we creating positive changes in our own lives, we are indirectly having a positive impact on the world around us. Read that again. When we focus on our own light, we feel better and inspire those who come into contact with us to do the same. It does not feel good to ruminate and to blame and to stress, it only creates a negative space inside of ourselves that can fester if we let it.
Sure, we can try to steer things in certain directions or manipulate situations into going our way — but it is impossible to truly control what happens around us. By turning inward, we can lead by example and let our actions influence those who cross our path. There is no need for control here. When that need is released, we can allow others to think and act as they feel & we can do the same. It no longer causes us to lose sleep (literally).
So what does that leave us with?
It leaves us with the option to see the world and our stress through a more loving, neutral lens. It gives us the ability to think before we react. The ability to create our own inner peace when life is chaotic. The ability to be healthy and to make good choices and to grow. Self regulation allows us to feel empowered and confident because we are living life with intention rather than going through the motions with zero self awareness // blaming outside circumstances for our discomfort. We can continue to focus on the things that are important to us & do the jobs we feel called to do. It just {r e l e a s e s} our need to be right. It {r e l e a s e s} our anxiety and discontent.
The world truly needs more people who are less anxious, happier and more fulfilled. We do not gain these things through the fearful & negative mind chatter that keeps us up at night. We develop this skill by consistently taking care of and working on ourselves.
When we focus on being a light, we will eventually begin to see that light in those around us.
Since that week, I have not had a restless night. The mantra was the switch in mindset that I needed, but meditation is a continuous part of my stress management and overall peace. I am forever an advocate for it, so here is one you can try on your own!
Meditation for being a light:
With your eyes closed, sit in a comfortable position with your hands in your lap.
Take a couple of deep breaths to center yourself.
When you are ready, pretend that whatever is weighing on you is in a box in front you.
Take a moment to intentionally sit with this image, keeping your slow and controlled breathing.
After a few breaths, begin to picture the lights slowly going out. Whatever was in front of you is now dark.
Take three deep breaths.
With each inhale begin to imagine a soft light at the center of your body lighting you up.
With each exhale imagine yourself releasing all that was weighing on you.
When you are ready, open your eyes and notice that there is no box, only light.