Day 209: The Muscle Memory of Appreciation
I was standing in the middle of the shoe department talking to my friend who was at another shoe display when I just reached down and slipped off one of my heels and put on the one I wanted to try on.
I immediately noticed the reaction of the sales lady. Her eyes got big and her mouth opened like I had just done a back flip.
I looked at her and she said, "In all my years, I don't think I've ever seen a grown woman be able to do that. Normally they sit down or lean against a counter for support. But wearing heels and then just slipping one off and putting another one on without even thinking about it, that's something only young girls do."
That was about 15 years ago, when I was in my mid-50's. It's always stuck with me, because it was such an odd comment.
And also because my psychology brain immediately went to, "How many other things do we do all day that we aren't aware are outside the norm?"
I had done a 20-minute sunrise yoga routine for years. And every other day I would do a beginner Windsor Pilates DVD that was about 20 minutes.
Those two things had given me flexibility and core strength that I didn't consciously think about. I certainly didn't think it was unusual.
I'm still good at standing on one leg, but barefoot.
It's the same kind of thing that goes on in the background without us being consciously aware when we cultivate recognizing our emotions and managing our thoughts.
I'm aware of some of my internal conversations, but the majority are unconscious, below my awareness.
They operate just like me automatically taking off one shoe, standing on one foot in heels and putting on another one.
It's the same thing with gratitude or appreciation. For some people gratitude is a triggering word, so appreciation is a better word.
It's a constant cycle that becomes unconsciously ingrained in our being. We appreciate something and it feels good. That brings better feeling thoughts to the higher vibrational frequency we are buzzing at, and then more things to appreciate begin to show up.
That's a cycle that our brains and our souls want to keep going, so it's self-perpetuating and gives us the momentum to stay in alignment and lead a happier life. All without consciously doing anything.
It's a built muscle. We just have to train it by doing it until it becomes a habit and then it takes care of itself.
And this muscle, that I've built over the years is what keeps me from going off when something happens.
I may go sideways for a few minutes, and then I'm back on track. At this point it's like muscle memory.
My body, mind, and soul notice something doesn't feel good, and it autocorrects.
It just takes time and training.
And following up on yesterday's topic, when I mentioned this serious issue was my introduction to this new community, that's exactly what happened.
I made a new friend by message and phone, who I will meet in October. He was able to send someone to get a phone number for a guy who can help me. Also, just as I had hoped, 2 guys came, diagnosed the problem exactly the same and had similar solutions.
When we have a positive outlook, check ourselves to make sure we're leaving our resistance at the door, and set an intention for what we'd like to see happen, most of the time, that or something better does happen.
When life gives us something difficult, it's good that we've trained ourselves to return to alignment quickly.
Today's Gentle Practice
Think about one emotional habit you've been practicing, consciously or unconsciously.
Ask yourself:
Is this habit helping me return to alignment, or keeping me in resistance?
You don't have to change everything today.
Just notice what your inner response has been practicing.
And then choose one small thought that helps you return to where you want to be.
With you,
Lynn
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