Heat Wave

With the temperatures rising across the nation, I've been thinking about the weather of our temperaments and relationships and how they affect our well-being.

Have you been "hot under the collar" lately? Have you lost your temper with one too many things on your 'to do' list? Or maybe you simply ate too much spicy food for lunch, and your heartburn is thanking you for it. ;)

Wherever the heat may be rising on your life thermometer, there are ways to keep a cool point-of-view in the day-to-day temperature of our emotions, feelings, and perspectives.

BURNING UP: Wounding words can take us by surprise and really 'burn' us up. But whether it be a cutting remark, a sarcastic attitude, or scathing rebuke, what is said to us by others needn't ruin our day or get our tempers flaring. We can shrink that troublesome torrent down to size by determining why it got our ire up, get a fresh perspective on any good we can glean from it, then let it go. Write it down and then burn it if that's what you need to do. Don't allow what others say demolish your foundation. Rebuild your perspective from the ground up by validating your feelings, make positive change where needed, and keep progressing and moving on to better, higher ground.

BURNING OUT: Are you working too long hours? Are you feeling like you can't catch up no matter how hard you try? Been out in the heat too long? (Seriously determine to take breaks and stay hydrated if you are doing strenuous activity outside in the heat.) It's time to take a break, take a breather (yes, literally center yourself by focusing on your breath, in through your nose and out through your mouth, in with positive energy, out with negative energy.) It is essential to take time to focus on the things that energize you.

BURNING IN: This is the place where you nurture your spirit, soul, and body. Every Day. Don't wait till you're burned up or burned out and exhausted and can't take much more. Make it part of your routine. Whatever it is that makes you feel invigorated, refreshed, energized, renewed. Have a love-fest with yourself: get creative with collage, take a walk on the beach or a hike in the woods. Listen to your favorite music, read a good book, pray/meditate.  For five minutes or an hour, take time for yourself so you'll have some fresh energy to give to those you love.

Yes, once you have nurtured your spirit, soul, and body, you're ready to be a blessing to your family and the world. Love is nurture in action. Love energizes and helps build a fresh perspective. You'll begin to see things from a renewed point of view. Your exhaustion will give way to inner energy that will spread to those around you.

When was the last time you had a Burning IN? In your heart, in your soul, in your perspective?
Get out those candles, turn on the music, and dance your bad burns away.

Who knows, you may start a beneficial bonfire that never goes out.
A heat wave for the heart.

© 2011 by Dawn Herring