A Purposeful Pause To Support Action And Change

This practice is meant to support anyone who is actively involved in life and wants to stay there. Whether it be with racial justice, environmental protection, large organizational change, or whatever cause is near and dear to your heart. It will support us in consciously maintaining some connection to the grounding aspects of our life, while at the same time developing active involvement in societal and organizational change.

Transcript

Welcome to this purposeful pause for anyone actively involved in change by Christine Lustick.

First,

Let's connect to this moment.

Whatever you are doing,

I give you permission to stop for a few minutes,

Nothing to solve or do.

I invite you to come back and down feeling the weight of your feet on the floor,

Your body in the chair,

Or standing right where you are.

Gently allow your shoulders to fall down and back away from your ears and soften your abdomen.

Follow the movement of the body as your breath expands it with the inhale and softens it with the exhale.

Now with curiosity,

Let's check in.

Not trying too hard,

Just picking the first feelings that come to mind.

How is your body doing?

Your physical body,

Is it heavy,

Tired,

Energized,

Light,

Or something else?

What one word would you use to describe your mind?

Busy,

Tight,

Clear,

Open,

Jumbled?

And finally,

Your heart.

How is it?

Tuning in,

Do you find your heart to be heavy,

Weary,

Defensive,

Or maybe hopeful,

Positive,

Or happy?

Keep holding those areas and the knowledge you've just gained with kindness,

With no judgment about what's going on.

Now that we've checked in,

We can determine how to move forward in a positive,

Intentional way.

First ask yourself,

What do I need to nourish me right now?

Food,

Water,

Rest,

Loving connection,

Quiet,

Or maybe nature?

Lightly make note of what is needed to nourish your body,

Mind,

And soul in this moment.

Now,

Based on your energy level and the answers to the questions earlier,

What can you do to stay actively involved in growth and forward movement at this time?

Ask yourself,

Do I have the energy to have a conversation with a friend or family member about current affairs?

To read a chapter in a book to expand my learning?

To purposely seek out other voices in this area,

Voices from other viewpoints or cultures,

And read their articles or watch their videos and TED Talks with curiosity and the goal of understanding their experience?

Do I have the energy to go to a protest or give money or time or take some other action?

These are all active,

Positive ways to move forward,

But they take different levels of energy.

So what is right for you at this time to stay involved?

Now returning one more time to the expansion and softening of the body,

Feeling the weight of yourself in this moment,

I invite you to move forward,

Acting on first what nourishes you,

And next on your chosen action.

Reviews

Thank you for this brief and impactful practice. It was just what I needed today.

Excellent Thank-you!!