Use the Tools You Have

We are equipped with many tools to help us navigate our lives.  We have the ability to develop new tools and update old ones.  Sometimes it seems like the tools we have aren't working.

When you are experiencing a challenge and you start to work with the tools you have and it doesn't seem like they are working, keep trying.  Keep working the tools you have until you find the one that works. It is possible they just aren't the tool for the job. Using a hammer when a screw driver is needed doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the hammer.

Recently, when I was having trouble sleeping I tried taking a hot bath, I tried journalling, I tried meditating, I tried reading and even some yoga.  These are all things that had worked very well in the past and were not helping at all in the moment.

When we aren't sure what tool we need at a particular time, we can ask for guidance.  Guidance is always available to us.  Sometimes we just need to listen.  I have experienced "hammering" away at something so loudly I couldn't hear my internal guidance.

The night I was having trouble sleeping, I finally got quiet and realized I had thoughts and feelings of fear coming up. Then it occurred to me that I was trying to get rid of them. I asked myself, "What if I just lie here and feel the fear?" I was overwhelmed with the idea but decided to try anyway.  I barely remember what happened after that as I feel asleep quickly.

Our internal guidance is always right on.  This is one tool that is fail proof when used.  Sometimes it will guide us to an old tool.  Sometimes it will guide us to a new tool.  Whatever we need our internal guidance is always guiding us bit by bit. #OneDegreeOfChange2018 #BabySteps2018

"Transcendence isn't mystical. It means going beyond the surface activity of the mind which is restless and conflicted to find the level of being that is content.  At this level you're happy to be here. Existence is enough." -Deepak Chopra

This level of being that Deepak mentions in this quote is always there.  Always available.  It waits only for us to quiet ourselves, listen and be present to it.  We are not asked to deny whatever we are experiencing on the surface but rather to lean into it. Be totally present with it.  To sink into the everpresent existence of enough.

Now Is How

How do I incorporate Now is How into my life?

The answer to any Now is How question is Now is How.

Be present with the situation, event, whatever is going on.  Stop.  Be with it.  Breathe into it.  Accept it as it is.  Be with it on the surface level where all the whirling dervish energy is flying around.  This doesn't mean join it.  Just be with it.  Listen. Observe. Notice.  Don't react.  Respond.  Remember, sometimes response is non-action. 

Sink down into the core of it.  The core where the peace is.  From that place extend love to the part that is whirling.  Be willing to love the part of yourself that is drawn to whirling, is whirling, sometimes whirls, always whirls.  Love this part of yourself unconditionally.  It is a quiet process. Listen.

Breathe.

Release.

Be.