In this post, I cover key ideas to pause to skillfully harness your internal energetic codes and turn your dreams and visions into a reality. When you feel your focus has gone off and distractions derail your intention, permit yourself to pause, do nothing, and milk the bliss all around you.
“Doing nothing is not meditation. You are not emptying your mind, you are letting it wander around from one thing to another while you sit still. Some people think of the monkey mind as something to be conquered, or corralled, or even obliterated, but there is nothing wrong with your monkey mind—let it hang by its tail off the ceiling fan if it wants to. Look, the wind is stirring things up…”
— Abigail Thomas, Still Life At Eighty, the next interesting thing
Doing nothing can be as simple as setting a small intention for your personal and playful best. You will not only feel better, but you will accomplish at least one task that grounds your body and lifts your energy.
If you feel like you’ve been working at a demolition site for the past few months, possibly years, you are not alone. Our home has been undergoing reconstruction for the past two years. It began with a code compliance issue that escalated into other unforeseen projects like termites and rot repairs. For me, it’s been up close, personal, and expensive. Over this time I’ve spoken with friends and clients who are also facing unexpected reconstruction—internally and externally. I continue to listen and look. I began to see that we’ve been undergoing an epic collective deconstruction — a purge on many levels. As a trauma therapist, I pay attention to what is happening in our mental health culture.
The need for mental health support continues to rise and not everyone can access resources. One of my daughters was on a waiting list for over a year. Another daughter works at a residential camp full to maximum capacity with clients. We’re seeing more and more people eager to undo harmful patterns, unpack painful burdens, recover from addictions, and heal ancestral trauma. All over the world people are joining in circles, rituals, festivals, and retreats to be with, work with, and contribute to the healing of the excruciating sting of a world on fire.
Old structures are collapsing. People are reaching out, want to feel empowered with good health, and want to create sustainable lifestyles.
Chaos will continue to disrupt what isn’t working for life on our planet. We are beginning to feel that fierce emotional charge relaxing and softening — less intense. As a collective community grows more conscious, many of us will experience REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. As a dream therapist, the value of REM for our mental well-being can not be underestimated. The quality of our sleep matters.
When we sleep well, our dreams are more vivid; we process the emotional experiences of our day more easily; our nervous system is regulated; problem-solving and creativity are supported. We receive rest through the night which fortifies us with bliss for the day ahead.
In upcoming posts, I will share more about the healing potential of dreams and how to understand and make sense of your dreams. In the meantime, setting an intention for deep sleep and remembering to record your dreams is an excellent practice. Taking frequent breaks throughout the day to unplug from social media and stressful activities that deplete you will add to the quality of your sleep and dreaming. You will begin to form a relationship with your dreammaker. Dreams are then medicine for your mind, body, and soul.
You don’t need to wait until your inner or outer reconstruction is complete. Every step along the way, celebrate your progress. Write about it, talk about it, take a photo, or do nothing. Most importantly, when we do nothing, we notice how far we have come, we drink in more of our surroundings. Remember that transitions mean we are in a process of change. With change is growth. With growth is bliss.
It’s always a good time to milk the bliss — to dust off the demolition dust, walk out of the ashes, shake yourself silly, and congratulate — reward yourself for navigating volatile currents. You will feel lighter, relieved, and able to clarify your intention for your work, personal life, relationships, health, and most importantly — play.
Our service dog Woodzie is a good example. He knows when it is time to work and focus because we put his vest on him. Like magic, he shapeshifts from a wild playful dog to an obedient dog on duty who moves by command. But as soon as that vest comes off. He shakes, jumps, and blissfully runs around like he has been in a cage for too long. Do you get the picture? I’ve learned a lot from Woodzie about shaking or dancing off tension and nudging myself to receive the reward of a bliss-filled cacao cookie for hard work. He’s also excellent at doing nothing.
The good news is that we can be like Woodzie, sometimes tamed, often untamed. We can shake, dance, do nothing, and be open to lighter days ahead. Our hearts feel more at ease to expand and receive. Momentum builds.
Let yourself be rewarded by feeling the excitement for the vision that is clarifying itself through loads of unexpected change and is emerging within you.
You do not have to live in the rumble. After a good shake or dusting off, ground yourself in your body. This is the time to milk the bliss and set a new intention.
What is the reconstruction project that’s been working you hard?
How do you unplug in the day to nourish yourself?
List three simple ways to reward yourself for doing the next best thing when it’s been hard or work that may feel invisible.
I’d love to hear your answers in the comments.
Demolitions, sheddings, and reconstruction are transitions meant to rebuild us, grow us, and give us new spaces to feel alive in. Growth is not linear. In the deep ground of demolition or shedding we may see an internal pattern that has not served and does not need to be brought forward. You can let it be ash. You can ask yourself, “Do I want to carry this with me and repeat a dysfunctional pattern?” “Or will I dust it off and step onto new ground?”
Your answer is your intention. Plant it like a seed. Decide that you will nourish it to have deep roots, reward yourself, and milk it.
Our internal environment can be still, blissful, and anchored with deep roots. I’ll close with a few ideas/reminders that Milk Your Bliss.
Walking barefoot on the beach, grass, or playground.
Gardening. Time in the forest. Star or moon gazing.
Doing Nothing.
Yoga. Journaling. Calling a friend who listens well.
Enjoy the aftermath of shedding.
Unplug often throughout the day to enhance the quality of your sleep hence dreamtime.
Set an intention to do at least one of the above as a regular practice. Momentum will grow.
Thank you for reading and receiving your dose of The Salty Crone
with love,
Prajna O’Hara