Hi Friend,
It happens to everyone at some point during the course of a week (or day, or hour).
Something in our personal life blows up, and we have to stuff our emotions long enough to function in the next meeting.
Sometimes it’s a BIG thing … we get a devastating piece of news. (Spoiler: Always cancel your meetings after a devastating piece of news. Trust me on this.)
But usually it’s a glitch in the everyday business of human-ing.
Your college-age child calls in tears about the unbearable reality of Adulting.
Your spouse calls to tell you they’ve just been in a fender bender.
The vet calls and that procedure for your dog is going to cost $3,000.
How the hell do you pull yourself together enough to interact with co-workers or clients despite your churning stomach or aching heart?
You need a mantra. Something to right the ship quickly … something that requires no thought (much like last week’s sick burn).
Here’s mine: I put my hand on my heart and I say to myself,
You are loved. And this is just part of being human.
Here’s the thing: This works for me.
Reminding myself that I’m deeply loved, and that cycles of suffering and crises are part of the human package really brings me back to center.
Then, from that place of self-love and broader perspective, I can at least come back to presence. And while my small, fearful self will tell me that I need to be Rosie-Cotton-Sunshine-Cheerleader-Rainbow-Sparkles, my Higher Self knows that the best thing I can offer someone is simply my PRESENCE.
Your thought experiment this week is to figure out your go-to mantra for pulling it together and showing up strong.
It can be a quote. It can be a prayer. It can be a lyric (cue Bon Jovi).
Just lock it in, post it somewhere, and practice your mantra so it’s ready when you need it.
Shine on, my friend.
B
