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HALT: A Simple Reminder for Self-Care

purple flower

So many times in life, we discover that the little things really are the big things. As I wrote in my last post, I’ve been going through some major life changes and they’re far from little. But what I’ve noticed is that although the big things are always looming in the back of my heart — it’s the little things that tend to have the most bearing on my mood.

Throughout the day, there are times that I feel irritated, stressed, anxious, or just “off.” I’m sure that you have those moments, too. Often times, these feelings are a simple result of lack of self-care. Life gets in the way, we focus on doing the ten thousand things that need doing, and self-care falls to the bottom of the list.

Lately, I’ve been having more of these moments than usual. So I’ve started making an extra effort to be mindful. Recently I stumbled across the acronym HALT which stands for: Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired? Four simple questions that I can ask myself when I’m feeling off. Stopping to pause and ask myself these questions almost always leads to the root of the problem.

  • If I’m hungry (or thirsty), a snack, meal, glass of water or tea can fix things instantly.
  • If I’m angry (or sad or scared), I identify the thought that is causing my feelings. I quickly assess whether there is a quick fix and if not, I pray that my anger, sadness, and fear be replaced with acceptance and love.
  • If I’m lonely, I pause to speak with God; read a bible verse; or call/text a friend. (Side note: For moms with little ones, I don’t recommend seeking more time with your children to cure loneliness. Motherhood is nearly synonymous with loneliness and even though we love our babies dearly, most of the time, the loneliness of motherhood can only be cured by adult interaction.
  • If I’m tired, well, this one is a bit tricky for me at the moment. There are lots of nice solutions to exhaustion such as going to bed earlier, waking later, taking a nap, or meditating. Unfortunately, these things aren’t always possible, especially for mothers of little ones, but if at all possible — rest. If you can’t, take an extra long shower and have another cup of strong tea. 😉

These things seem simple, but frequently stopping to check in with myself, goes a long way. Self-care is critical, especially when we’re going through difficult times.

Take care of yourself, friends. I’m sending you love & light.

D.

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    Are You Oblivious, Aware, or Getting It?

    This is a guest post from my friend, Andy Feld.

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    As I travel and meet new people all over our country, it seems most everyone falls into one of the three areas mentioned in this month’s title. What am I talking about? It’s the societal evolutionary change which is now in progress, although admittedly sometimes imperceptible. It is easy to see that violence rarely leads to anything but more violence. Overt materialism, absent integrity, brings happiness and abundance to very few. Additionally, centuries of male dominated insensitive energy added to a populace unwilling to take responsibility has us at a precarious tipping point.

    So, do you sense what I say is true? Are you oblivious to these changes in the air, or are you ahead of the curve and already taking the steps necessary to not only survive, but thrive in the years to come? Frankly, I am often greeted by individuals with long faces who tell me they will be happy again when things get back to ‘normal’. Normal for many means simply getting back to a life dominated by financial gain and the purchase of new things, but those days may be long gone. Banks are not lending money, our population is increasingly unemployed or aging and dependent, houses are not selling, there seems to be an oversupply of everything and worldwide competition is greater than ever. What if today is the way things will be for the next 20-30 years or longer? What are you going to do to be happy, prosperous, and emotionally abundant?

    Make no mistake, everything is changing and just about everyone is affected. Personally, my income does not approach what I once earned as a corporate CEO, my car is not as new and shiny as it once may have been, and I visit fewer restaurants, but my life has never been more pleasant. Would you agree that now is the time to not only re-evaluate, but also re-create our lives? If so, you are GETTING IT loud and clear, but if not, let’s look into what we can do about it.

    1. We are all One, connected with a common thread of spirit. When I say WE, I mean ALL humans, animals, plant life, earth, and stars. We all are of the same source energy, and understanding and respecting this Oneness is a key to thriving in our new age. Allowing all else to be, with love and respect, and without judgment of unique individual differences will open our portals to Universal Light. One cannot mistreat another human, the earth, our vegetation, and the animals without also mistreating oneself. We are all connected and what we put forth to others is what will always come back to us.

    2. Listen to our heart, our Inner Radar as I call it in my books, without the fear of judgment from others. We are all unique and different, and learning to reach within and hear that guidance we all individually brought forth to this lifetime allows us to grow and prosper in alignment with our life’s purpose. There is no better way to accomplish this than a regular practice of meditation and contemplation.

    3. Understanding the process for manifesting our life’s dreams. It takes quite a bit of practice and self-discipline, and you may be getting tired of hearing me speak about it, but we are the product of our thoughts, emotions, words, and actions. Very little we desire will manifest without the alignment of these four elements. Believe in this, practice and have faith and you will embrace your life like never before.

    4. Learn to appreciate all that you have. From hot running water, to clothes in your closet, and food in the refrigerator, most of us have so much to be thankful for yet rarely acknowledge. The beauty of nature, our relationships, our health and the list should go on and on. Write it down and truly rejoice in how many ways you are blessed.

    5. Diligently work on balancing your male and female attributes. We are all a combination of both masculine and feminine, and the more we keep these two in balance the more we vibrate with the earth.

    Yes, everything is changing. First, become aware and then jump on board, but it will always be the choice of the individual. No one, other than you is responsible for your rescue.

    Whether it is a business, an organization, or individual, the time for changing the status quo in right now. How to go about it in this new environment is what I speak about and teach. I would love the opportunity to work with you or your group.

    With much love and appreciation,
    Andy

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    Andy lives in Morrison, Colorado outside Denver. He travels the country as a frequent speaker on life inspiration and business sales. He is also a regular guest on radio programs across the United States and on local TV.

    You can read more about Andy at his website, Simple Happy, and you can find his books on Amazon at the following links.

3 Comments

  1. Wow, thank you for that acronym. I have been dealing with some postpartum depression recently and have been becoming more mindful of the term “self care”. I think I will write that one down.

  2. Praying that you will find Joy and Peace today. Mothering is certainly stressful, to say the least. Add that to everything else, and it can be overwhelming. I would challenge you to find a Bible verse that speaks to your heart and memorize it. Post it on the mirror. Post it on the steering wheel of your car. Be reminded that God loves you and has a Wonderful plan for your life!

    Trisha

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