In the black
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 05:00PM Lately I’ve been thinking about the connection between money and energy. Einstein proved that matter and energy are interchangeable in the cosmic currency, so money and energy must also have this relationship. Both are in constant flux, changing from one to the other.
In the past I’ve lived with a ‘cushion’ of money in my bank account, giving me the illusion of security that most Americans seem to buy into. But my energetic bank account was always depleted – in fact, I was constantly living in a state of debt. I kept myself too busy to notice this imbalance, only stopping when a severe illness forced my hand.
Now I’m trying to be as proactive with building up my energetic reserves as I have been in the past with my financial resources. For the moment, this has meant that as I take more time to rest and rejuvenate, there’s a corresponding drop in literal money in the bank that leaves me feeling vulnerable. Whether this path turns out to be wise or foolish, only time will tell.
Signs that indicate to me that I’m on the right track: my mind is growing calmer. New types of work that feel truly aligned with my beliefs and talents are flowing to me. Situations in life that used to cause high stress roll off me now like water off a duck’s feathers.
In the past I’ve lived with the unquestioned assumption that if I did not feel overwhelmingly busy, then I was not doing enough. Now I’m turning that conventional (and life-depleting) mode of living on its head: the Buddhist phrase, “Don’t just do something; sit there!” is a recurring theme for me. My simple mantra, courtesy of my nutritional and lifestyle mentor Fred Bisci is “Best to Rest.”
Our minds are conditioned to think that not until everything in the world is perfect and at peace can we rest. I am coming to believe that in truth it is precisely the opposite: until we can find peace and perfection within, nothing we try to do will create it in the world outside. In the metaphor of flight attendant language, for obvious reasons you are advised to put on your own oxygen mask before trying to put on someone else’s.
At this holiday season, I invite you to take stock of your energetic bank account. Bring peace into your life by taking some things off the schedule, bond with your couch, practice yoga, curl up with a good book… take time out to restore! In our culture that teaches us to beat ourselves down, nurturing ourselves is truly a radical act. Give yourself permission to build up your reserves, so you can start the new year ‘in the black!’
Wishing you well,
--Lauren
Reader Comments (2)
Yes, yes, yes. I have been doing the same thing in a big way, for a couple of years now. My bank account is WAY depleted, and yet I am happier, more resilient, and able to let those waves of panic just flow through me. Am I being irresponsible to let my body guide me, or wise?
Well, you know what I think on that topic! All things will be transient in our lives, except our bodies - that is the one thing we know will stay with us for our entire duration here! So, what could be more wise than paying attention to it?!