What does commitment mean to you? Is it a contract or a promise of intention?
Is it a rigid obligation of mind over matter? Can we think ourselves into being committed to an action?
As I write this, I am struggling with commitment. There are things I know I need to do to achieve the goals and objectives that I have set for myself. I know structure and time management are important elements for achieving worldly objectives. Lately though, I am just so damn tired. The simplest things loom like giant unattainable, unscalable rock cliffs. I don’t have the energy to pull myself out of the pit. Fuuuddgge, as Ralphy from A Christmas Story would say. The lack of sunlight does take a toll on me, and thousands of others. Women are 9X more at risk than men for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Fifteen percent of Canadians report a least a mild case of SAD within their lifetime. Two to 3 percent report a serious case within their lifetime, according to Alive Magazine Dec 2023.
When I was young, I was labelled as hyper-active. Man, what I wouldn’t do to get some of that active back. People who have experienced acute, and chronic stress often can have physical, emotional and mental ailments which may present as: Muscle pain, insomnia, fatigue, irritability, indecisiveness, apathy, loss of joy in activities that they used to enjoy. Sighing, not feeling energetic enough to exercise, or socialize. Just Meh. When cortisol levels become too high in the body inflammation, increased pain, blood pressure increases and other stress related health conditions can result.
So what does this have to do with commitment?
When one is in a state of overwhelm, it is hard to commit to anything. That feeling of overwhelm is part of a stress response. Today I want to encourage you to make a commitment to yourself.
I will do it as well. Often we know what to do, it is the doing it that is the hard part. First, let’s stop beating ourselves up .
Today is a new day. Thank God that we get a new day, a new start, a new season. While we are still breathing, let’s find a reason to be joyful for a season.
Before one can commit to something, we must have a belief that the result will be worth the effort. Faith comes first. The thought precedes the action. “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you are right.” 1 The choice is ours.
Dr. J. Patterson tells a story of creating structure to help to overcome chaos of mind by organizing our environment. “Clean your room” was a catch phrase of his. He does inform us however, that for some people in a high state of overwhelm, they can’t clean their room. It is too much to ask of them. It would feel like asking a toddler to run a marathon. Start smaller. Open a drawer that you would like to organize, and think about how you would organize it. You don’t even need to organize it that day. Just create the mental space for the feeling of calm that being organized creates.
Be Kind to yourself. Be compassionate with yourself. Commit to one thing.
Just do one simple thing. It can be something to aid your physical wellbeing. Make a protein shake, or a green smoothie.
Walk outside in nature. Live in a city? Where is your nearest park? Ask a friend to come with you. Movement works on many levels. It causes us to breathe deeper thus increasing the oxygen level in our blood, and sends serotonin to our brain. When we use our muscles, our mood improves, our blood glucose levels balance, and our cardiovascular gets a nice boost of nitric oxide which not only has analgesic effect but also reduces blood pressure. Movement is essential to balance hormones. Our lymphatic system which brings in nutrients and takes away waste and toxins needs movement to work. It has no pump. You got to move it, move it. Dance is movement. Skipping, running up and down the stairs, playing with the dog or kids. Join a sports team, as a novice or a pro. Ski, swim, skate . Start with simple daily activity. Balance on one leg, while you balance your budget. Do squats while your brush your teeth. Do calve raises as you wash the dishes. Hot/Cold therapy is also great for the lymph system. Finish your shower with a cold rinse, starting from your toes, go up the whole body to your head. Your skin will glow, and your age won’t show.
Vitamin D is crucial to our well-being. Most people in the northern hemisphere are deficient in Vit D. It is required for bone health, immune system support, mood regulation, muscle function, heart health , weight management, cell growth and differentiation, inflammation regulation and hormone regulation. Yup, it is a biggie. The sunshine vitamin lights up our life. Add your C’s, B’s and A’s, and some zinc to help you think. Eat with colour, savour the flavour of health.
Isolation contributes to depression, and anxiety and feeling listless. Why are we punishing ourselves? We are designed to be in community. We are not meant to be alone. A burden shared is a burden halved. I really struggle with this. I forget to ask for help. To call my friends, and say hey, I was just thinking about you. How are you? When we are alone for long periods of time, we also may ruminate on that which we don’t like or don’t want. When we are with other people, don’t we ultimately end up laughing?
Comparison is another habit which is detrimental to our mental health. Scrolling through social media has an addictive quality to it. It also takes time away from activities which may be more beneficial to us. You are blessed with gifts, talents, and a divine personality that is your own. Let’s train our brain to be fully present and mindful with the people around us. We can use mindfulness with our tasks and chores. I have found music helps me lift my mood when I just got to get ‘er done. Especially when I don’t really want to do, what needs doing.
Reward yourself along the way. What matters to you? What do you love? Who do you love? Reward yourself with time with that person. Or time with your favorite book. Or a bath with essential oils and Epsom salts. Funny how, a bath is now considered a reward. Or time to do nothing. Day dream. Just be.
Give yourself the gift of Purebioenergy Healing Therapy. Allow yourself to commit to your healing and your vibrant well-being. The benefits of Purebioenergy Healing Therapy are exponential. When our stresses decrease, our relationship with ourselves and with others improves.
Let’s choose to commit to a better me. In so doing, we will create a Better We.
