When You Need to Reset

Turning From Head to Heart
Between prepping for the release of my mini-MasterClass and my wine industry work, I have been a very busy lady lately.  And while it’s in the best possible way, there were moments when my head was spinning and tapping into my heart for answers seemed a bit more challenging than usual.  Which isn't all that surprising because when the mind is clamoring for attention the heart often gets overlooked.
 
Now it may be normal for our brains and egos to take the lead, and to get overwhelmed sometimes in the process, but we don't have to lean into that.  We can choose to take a beat to realign with the soothing, loving energy of our heart and let it guide us.  Not only can we, but we should.  Because I promise you, it feels so much better that way.  (Spoiler Alert: Scroll down for a guided video to help do just that)
 
Step one, realize when it’s time to shift.
Recognizing when it’s time to shift from leading with our head to leading with our heart can be easy in some moments and trickier in others.  If we want to go from analytical action based us to creative us, or soul-searching truth seeking us, it’s fairly obvious.  Or perhaps we’re stressed and feeling like life’s a bit chaotic, which are probably the most easily recognizable moments. Honestly there are a myriad of other reasons why we might want to tune into the gentle, loving energy of our heart and let it lead, some recognizable and some not.  So how can we tell if it’s one that isn’t recognizable?  For that we tune into the detection system that is our physical body.
 
I try to scan my body periodically throughout the day, and it’s something I highly recommend getting into the habit of if you find yourself frequently getting overwhelmed and stressed.  Sometimes it's easy to recognize when the brain and ego are letting chaos lead. Your energy is frenetic, your focus is shot, your body is tense.  It doesn't feel great.  Yet at other times you're plugging away at tasks, hyper focused on achieving, feeling pretty productive. You’re feeling proud of yourself and unstoppable.  But here's the kicker, sometimes even in those powerhouse moments if you tune in you’ll find you’re still tense.  Now, I’m all for the, "look at me being a bad ass and getting shit done!" moments. But I also know that being in that mode for a prolonged amount of time doesn't serve me.  I'm not tapped into my connection with source or my heart.  And it might take a bit to recognize but eventually I feel it, I'm a machine. 
 
Step two, tap back into the heart.
Whether you’ve tuned into your body and recognized you're not leading with your heart, or you're wanting to sit down and get to know yourself, or you want some guidance from the universe…you realized it’s time for a shift.  Which means it's time to give yourself a pattern interrupt. A few minutes where your focus is moved away from the external and is absolutely singular.  Now, I love meditation, and you'll find me often having a 5 minute quickie meditation session when I need to realign, but one of the easier ways to make that shift is with breathing exercises.  Breathing exercises help to disengage your mind from stressful and distracting thoughts and sensations, help to decrease anxiety, and aid in relaxation.  They are a very effective pattern interrupt.
 
One of my absolute favorites, 16 seconds, was taught to me by my mentor davidji.   The beauty of this exercise is that it only takes 16 seconds, barely any time at all, to give yourself that needed interruption and set yourself up for success.  With this exercise the momentum from “chaotic” you has been halted making tuning into your heart a much more effortless process. I’ve also found that with my focus on my breathing, already looking inwardly, the shift to looking within for guidance and answers is a much easier process. In mere moments you feel the soothing energy of the heart washing over you.  It’s a much needed release from stress and you can feel the chaos melt away as the heart takes the lead from the mind.
 
16 Seconds FTW
Of course, there are other ways for you to tap into leading with your heart.  Sometimes it can be as easy as saying hmmm, it's time to pump the breaks a bit.  How can I nurture myself and follow my joy?  Other times it can take a good 20-30 minute meditation session.  But regardless of which way you choose, or feel called to follow, to tap back into the gentler energy of your heart, trying 16 seconds out beforehand will make it much more effortless.  In fact, sometimes that 16 seconds is all it takes.  But don't take my word for it, try it yourself.  Today's blog freebie is a guided video of the 16 second process.