Riding the wave of uncertainty and collective grief

I remember, as a kid, being super hungry and waiting for my food to arrive at a restaurant when I saw a sign on the wall that read: “Sabemos que urge, pero no son enchiladas,” meaning, I know it’s urgent, but it’s no piece of cake!  

This clever expression helped me to be more considerate and a bit more patient while waiting for my food to arrive.

No son enchiladas! It’s an expression to remember while riding the present wave of uncertainty and collective grief.

I feel like we are being shaken upside down, and the good, the bad and the ugly are all coming out at the same time. It’s not easy!

We are all being impacted in different ways; it is not healthy or even fair to compare ourselves with others. Your situation is unique and it’s important because it’s happening to you.

If the pandemic is positively impacting you, that is also great. Be the one who carries good news. We need that right now. Kindness, positivity and joy are contagious. Spread them like salsa on your tacos.

And, speaking of spreading love, today I would like to share with you a powerful tool to ride the waves of life’s challenges. I learned it three years ago during my Kripalu Yoga teacher training. 

Be gentle with yourself and others when practicing this technique. If something comes up that is unbearable, this might not be the right tool for you at this time. Do a grounding activity instead, and consider seeking support from a doctor or a qualified mental health professional. 

Breathe, Relax, Feel, Watch, Allow (BRFWA). 

Breathe

Notice your inhalations and exhalations. Feel your breath in your body and notice where you feel it. Be with it but without trying to control it. This can help you find balance and tap into your inner strength.

Relax

Take some time to release unnecessary tension in your body and mind. Soften the muscles in your face, neck and jaw. 

Feel

Take a moment to bring awareness to your sensations, thoughts, emotions or whatever arises. Welcome them with kindness, love and curiosity.

Watch

Notice with compassion. This means noticing without making judgments. Observe the situation as it unfolds, and try to stay as present as you can. This may sometimes appear to be a sprinkling of awareness.

Allow 

Trust the process; allow the outcome to be what it is, without expectations. 

Notice how you feel and if you learned anything in this process. I encourage you to practice this exercise for a couple of minutes a day with mundane situations to focus on the processes first.

Now it’s your turn. What is the most helpful tool you use in challenging times? Please comment below. 

*Disclaimer: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.

NOTE: This content was originally written for the northamericanproject.com