Ready for Openings

I have pushed myself too far and am feeling spent. If an Opening appeared now, would I be ready to enter it?

What Openings Ask For

Openings often challenge where we are at the time they appear. They offer new experiences, opportunities and change. There is some time to decide whether to enter them, though not unlimited time. Once we enter an Opening it provides a pathway of its own, The pathway can ask a lot of us. If we want to take advantage of the Openings that appear, we best be ready for them.

We do not control when Openings appear. They can come at just the right time, the worst possible time, an inopportune time or the absolute wrong time. So much for that. Openings show up on their timing, not ours. Often their intention is to push us. They can be jolting, take us out of our comfort zone and dare us. They can also be the answer to our prayers, bringing welcome change.

Openings are about movement and growth. They ask for activity, stretching and, sometimes, resilience. To take full advantage of Openings we must be fit – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Balance, self-awareness and being present in the moment all help us be ready for Openings.   We can cultivate these things on a regular basis to answer the call of Openings.

Self-Care

Self-care is so important, yet so sidelined by the demands of our lives today. How are we to put ourselves first with numerous demands on our time, emotions and physical bodies? How do we balance in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty of our world today? If we are not taking care of ourselves, how will we thrive? How will we be ready for challenges and change? Self-care must become a priority.

Self-care involves tending to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Things such aa eating well, staying physically fit and managing stress are elements of self-care. Self-care greatly enhances our well-being and protects against disease. It involves hygiene, nutrition, lifestyle and health management. It also involves joy, fun and relaxation.

Energy drains can sabotage self-care and must be dealt with. Energy drains are things that “take” energy from us – stress, difficult relationships, lack of balance (e.g. too long work hours), worries or lack of fulfillment. While letting go of energy drains, we can focus on things that fuel us, restoring our energy and enthusiasm. Openings may help us, upending things that drain us (ending an unfulfilling job or exposing an energy drain that has gone too far) or introducing us to new things that fuel us.