Today’s Find Your Flow message is about one of the simplest- and most important-things you can begin paying attention to throughout your day.

Have you ever caught yourself breathing shallowly? 
Not really feeling your body?

Your shoulders are tense, your jaw is tight, and before you even realize it, your mind is already living somewhere in the future? I know I can find myself planning, solving, preparing, replaying conversations or trying to control what’s coming next. And, you know what this causes overwhelm, disconnection and anxiety. 

You’re physically somewhere, but you’re not actually there. This pattern doesn’t often happen all at once. One busy morning becomes a busy day. A busy day becomes a busy week. You think you’re focus on the “right” things and all of a sudden you feel completely distracted and scattered. You may look up, take a breath and realize you’ve been managing your life more than you’ve actually been living it. 

This is why awareness matters so much. 

Awareness to choose presence. Awareness to be accountable to your actions. Awareness to be thoughtful of your priorities and so much more…

You only get what you measure.

Often we measure our businesses, our finances, our physical routines and calendars, but how often do you measure your connection to yourself?

Can you feel your body? Are you breathing deeply? What are you giving attention to in this moment in your life—today or in your current season? 

You may also notice when you begin to feel overwhelmed, you may try to manage and control more. 

• Does this cause you to be in your head or your heart more? 
• Do you look to distract yourself? 
• Do you reach for comfortable habits/addictions that actually cause disconnection? 
• Do you scroll, watch tv, drink, overeat…?

Sometimes it’s in the form of simply telling ourselves, I’ll feel better once I get through…

None of those things are wrong but they don’t feel as good as owning our choices, our light and connecting. 

Sometimes that intense desire for relief creates a useful distraction because that’s the best we can do in a moment. Long term the invitation is to notice your patterns. There is an open invitation to presence at all times and sometimes we just need that reminder. 

• Can you soften your shoulders?
• Can you take one conscious breath?
• Can you feel your feet on the ground?
• Can you choose not to let three busy hours become three busy weeks?

This is where holding yourself accountable, measuring and choosing awareness is critical. 

Here’s an invitation for you. This week set three reminders on your phone.

Not to check your email. Not to check your to-do list.

Simply to notice. Are you present? Can you return to yourself and your knowing?

When the reminder goes off take a few deep breaths. Pause whatever you’re doing for sixty seconds and ask yourself: 

• Can I feel my body?
• Am I breathing deeply?
• Where is my attention?
• What am I actually feeling?
• What would I love in this moment?
• What helps you come home to your body?
• Are you seeking relief… or are you longing for presence?

The quality of your life isn’t determined by how often you stay present.

It’s determined by how quickly you notice you’ve left… and how lovingly you’re willing to return.

With love,