As we deepen into Autumn, we face ourselves more and more. Weather has us turning to indoor activities, shorter daylight means we turn our lights on, and the leaves stop producing chlorophyll, amazing us with their true colors.
Our own true colors also are revealed. Some hues are delightful, and others are muddled or harsh. Losses from the past and other unprocessed material may have us distracting ourselves, preferring to block out these truths. Overtime, this becomes a habit of avoiding the confrontation with our inner guidance. The mind, then, becomes a mine-field of loaded areas, with surprising reactions coming up from benign triggers.
Mental health requires us to face our fears, hurts, angers and losses so we can broaden our appreciation for the lessons there are to learn, growing in compassion, love and joy. Practices which facilitate this include journal writing, bibliotherapy, counseling, psychotherapy, coaching, mentorship, 12 step recovery and pranayama. All of these can be utilized to calm the mind and heal the rifts within.
In particular, what we do in the first 45 minutes of the day sets our patterns for the rest of the day, as Carl Jung has stated that the ego isn’t up yet! Starting your day with Gratitude Journaling may be just the right method of setting your day on the right track, clearing your mind of all of the issues, problems and complaints, so instead, counting our blessings guides us through the day.
Which of the modalities are appealing to you? What could you add to your morning so you start your day on the conscious track you want? How can I better serve you as you work with your mind to choose happiness? Be in touch here so Ki to Happiness can companion you on your way to stable contentment with a clear mind.
One reply on “Mental Health”
Ki, I am really enjoying these posts. They are so uplifting at a time when I am laid up with arthritis pain, and I just don’t get outside enough, and don’t interact with others enough. Illness, debility and loneliness are the biggest challenges to my mental health at the present. What I appreciate especially is that you provide solitary strategies and deep introspection, things I can contemplate and work on when I am by myself at home. Breath work in particular has been so helpful when much of my physical practice I have had to let go of until I am well again.