I'd like to invite you to take this week to focus on the words 'Inner Resource' - the personal qualities, strengths, and capabilities that individuals possess within themselves. These resources play a crucial role in helping people navigate life's challenges, cope with stress and achieve personal growth and well-being.
The world around us can condition us to rely heavily on external validation. There are many voices coming from all sides and loads of information vying for our attention. This can dull our own voice and leave us disconnected from the awareness of our own inner resource and our own inner compass. Loads of advertisements tell us what beauty is, what we need to buy, what the formula is for success, even what success looks like, how to be happy, what happiness is, amongst all the negative news we get fed with day in day out. It never ends! I don't want to sound so negative, but pointing out that if we are not looking after our own inner resource and building that toolbox for ourselves for our own well-being, all these voices can pull us away from getting to know our own inner resource and compass and leave us down, drained and disillusioned about ourselves and life. Let us practice living from the awareness of our inner resource within. Let's build trust with our own inner resource, our inner compass and with ourselves. How do we do this?
Recognize that it all starts with you - I've always said this, that one of the main things we can control in this life is what we do. What we choose. How we respond. How we act. What can we do with what we have and what we know right now in this moment? Start with that.
Know thyself - build a relationship with yourself by devoting time to you, your thoughts, your well-being, if we don't spend the time to get to know ourselves through reflection, enquiry, deep thought, then how can we know who we are, what we value, what has shaped us and how we want to live our lives and how we want to impact the world around us. This practice also informs us what our strengths are and what we need support in.
Reflect on what is needed to strengthen and fill up your inner resource.
Practice following your own inner voice - this can be a challenge to do if you tend to want to please others and have never really given time or space to your own thoughts and desires. However I encourage you to just start. This may involve setting some new boundaries. You will feel so empowered as you begin to step out in this.
Find your tribe! - Who you hang out with plays a big part in strengthening your inner resource. I'm not saying cut people from your life (although unhealthy toxic connections may require this). I'm also not saying burn bridges hehe but consider the importance of being around those who align with where you want to go and what you value. I read this week a quote that said. Good friends are generally good for your nervous system!
Be kind to yourself
Mindfulness visualization exercise
Now, let’s strengthen our connection to our inner resource with a guided visualization meditation.
Let's find our comfortable sitting position. Close your eyes and take a few deep conscious breaths, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth. Allow your body to relax with each exhale.
Imagine yourself standing at the entrance of a beautiful forest. The trees are tall and majestic, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of pine and earth. A gentle path leads you deeper into the forest, inviting you to explore. The wind blows softly and as you step into the forest, you notice the air cools down awakening your senses.
As you walk along the path, notice the tranquility that surrounds you. Birds are singing, and a gentle breeze rustles the leaves. With each step, you feel more at peace and more connected to the nature around you.
Soon, you come across a serene clearing in the forest. In the center of this clearing is a tranquil pond, its surface smooth and reflective. This pond represents your inner resource – a place of calm, clarity, and strength.
Sit by the edge of the pond and gaze into its clear waters. As you look deeper, see your own reflection looking back at you. This reflection is a reminder of your inner strength and wisdom. Reach out and touch the water, feeling its cool, refreshing energy.
As you connect with the pond, feel a sense of calm and empowerment wash over you. Know that this inner resource is always within you, ready to provide guidance and support. Take a moment to absorb this energy, letting it fill you with confidence and peace.
When you are ready, slowly bring your awareness back to the room. Move your arms and feet gently and give yourself a warm hug. Spend a few moments here. Open your eyes and notice all around the room. I invite you to come back to this calmness and peace from this mindfulness visualization as often as you need as you go on about your week.
Our inner resource is a powerful tool that can guide us through life's ups and downs. By regularly connecting with this inner wellspring, we can navigate challenges with greater ease and emerge stronger and more resilient. As you move through your day, remember that you have an infinite reservoir of strength and wisdom within you.
Thank you for joining me on this Day 7 of 21 Days of Mindfulness Inspiration. If you want to listen to this audibly, you can subscribe to our You Tube Channel or listen on Spotify.
I look forward to sharing again next week!
Cath xoxo