One Step Back

Shifting thoughts shifts brain chemistry, which shifts not only the rest of our biochemistry, but our sense of mental and emotional well being.
 
I will invite you today to a mini-thought-change exercise.   

To begin, if you did not stretch like a waking cat yet today, reach your arms forward and/or upward, pulling them outward/upward, and allowing a breath or even a sound out as you stretch. 

Done?

Ok, good. We could all use a stretch, at least a little, to start our day, re-enliven our bodies for a moment mid-day, or shake off at the end of a day.

Settle in, wherever you are, to your comfiest position for this moment.

Imagine or bring to mind – just for a moment -  someone or some situation - that irritates or even dramatically upsets you.  Think about that person or thing, "YOUR DISTERESSOR", and let yourself feel what you feel.  Notice the type of distress – sorrow, loss, despair, anxiety, frustration, jealousy, fear, anger, even rage. . . Notice where in your body, heart, mind or spirit your distress lives.  Just notice.
 
Now we are going to do what I think might be one of the SIMPLEST well-being exercises that exists:

Now, in your mind’s eye, see yourself TAKE ONE STEP (as small or as big a step as you are called to take) – but take ONE STEP BACK from your distressor.  One step. 

Take a deep slow, lovely breath in, and slowly out.

Notice yourself OUTSIDE of the circle of circle of influence;
Notice the ways your body, heart, mind and spirit feel – is there more spaciousness?  Perhaps a sense of calm, or even freedom in your cells, maybe a recollection of your own center?
 
That is it. 
Place, if you wish, (as I usually suggest doing after an inner exercise), one hand on your belly and one on your heart to somatically ground the etheric work into your body, (so you can, hopefully, carry some of whatever SELF you accessed) with you into your day today.
 
One Step Back. It can be that simple.