Are you?
Life is going so fast these days. We are connected 24/7 by devices, demands, and drama.
The other morning in the park, I looked over at my shadow and wondered, “Is that really me?”
When we get so caught up in the rat race, we forget about ourselves. We focus on satisfying everyone else, meeting deadlines, and winning at all costs. And there are costs . . .
Costs to our families. Costs to our friends. Costs to ourselves.
Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung, referred to the fourth mental function, called the inferior function, as “the shadow.” He explained “the shadow” as an unconscious aspect of our personality, which the conscious ego doesn’t identify.
In her book, In the Grip: Understanding Type, Stress, and the Inferior Function, Naomi L. Quenk describes the inferior function as the “‘other’ in us.” That part of us that emerges from time to time as out-of-character thoughts, feelings, and behaviors especially in times of fatigue and stress.
When we experience physical or psychological stress – career changes, life transitions, or highly emotional events – we can react in unusual ways. This is “the shadow” sending an alert. Telling us it’s time for self care.
Using centering thoughts, exercise, healthy eating, and rest, we can move from “the shadow” back into the light.
Putting Our Selves First Rather Than Last:
Be selfish! By caring for our “Self,” we create a healthy, more resilient life, able to deal with life’s difficulties using strength and purpose. This means taking time out for exercise, nutritious foods, and more sleep. Stephen Covey explained the importance of investing in these areas for long term wellness in The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People.
Focusing On The Positive:
Professor Carol Dweck wrote in her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, that having a growth mindset helps us see our talents and build our potential. A fixed mindset focuses on failure, setbacks, and losing. A growth mindset opens our world to change – stretching us to learn something new – developing our potential.
Feeding Our Spirit:
What lights you up? It’s time to reconnect with our inner spark! Abundance is all around us. It’s time to go within and connect spiritually to see our lives and our world as infinite abundance.
When we take these steps, our families, our friends, and our life will be put back into order. No more running in the shadows, just the bright light of possibilities and abundance!