Kind Expectations For Change

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Embracing Change with Compassion: Finding Ease in Transformation

I recorded this podcast a few years ago (just before the chaos of Christmas!) and I find myself revisiting it as we transition into spring. It complements this month's Natural Health Webinar on Spring Eating, Growth and Renewal.

One of the few things we can rely on is that things are always changing. Most of this change is beyond our control and so can create resistance – a self-protective holding as we gauge whether the new and unfamiliar is safe, or not. During this explorative phase, whilst we experience a shift in the landscape, we might experience worry, even stress in the form of feeling disquieted, unsettled or even anxious. This is to draw our attention to the change in play; to prompt awareness where we might choose an attitude of curiosity over judgment. Tendencies to simply judge change as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ can shut down our capacity to go-with-the-flow and adapt – curiosity opens us up to possibilities and new ways of thinking and being.

Meeting change with kindness and compassion (including for our experiences during the process), helps us move towards acceptance that there is never simply getting it right or an endpoint. We are always in process, and kind, relaxed, curious attention helps us ride the waves with ease, and even some contentment and joy!

As we enter this spring-time of renewal and awakening, let's be mindful not to set ourselves too many short-term (and often unrealistic) goals that tell us we must be better, we must do better. This polarisation of good or bad in terms of personal judgement - how much exercise we do, what we eat, how much sleep we get etc. can leave us feeling sub-par.

Instead, if we give ourselves time to adjust, then we can choose to connect with the space around the things we are doing. This is where our nervous systems have the space to lay down those real sense-memories that recognise the feeling of actions and beliefs that serve us well; that meet our true needs – ie they are beneficial. If we think and act from this mindful and embodied place - rather from what we think we should be doing - we are able to take ownership and let go of any sense of guilt. This is where we might truly relax into change...

You can learn more about Spring Eating, Growth & Renewal with the Whole Health webinar recording of that name...

Discover Whole Health with Charlotte here, featuring access to yoga classes, meditations, natural health webinars, supplement discounts and more...