My mom used to say “No matter how much or how little you make, always put something away for a rainy day.” My parents grew up in the Great Depression in the beginning of the 1930s, and knew the value of having a savings. Today I’m writing about a different, but equally valid concept of “Putting something aside” for times when you might find it useful.
When we practice our form, we work on paying attention to our current state, and attempt to come into a state of balance and relaxation. After doing this for a while, The practice of the form then begins to help bring us into a more relaxed and balanced state of mind.
We can then draw on that “savings account” whenever we need some calm and balance, by practicing a little bit of our form. The form has become a physical reminder that we can use to relax and center ourselves when something in our lives knocks us out of our calm, centered state.
This may be useful when someone or something (Life situations, stressors, etc.) “Pushes our buttons”, and we find ourselves in a more negative state.
If someone yells at you, for example, when you’re not at your best, you might tend to take it personally. If you can find your own sense of balance and equanimity at this point, you might, instead of taking offense, think “Oh, they’re having a hard time today”.
Instead of “Losing it”, you might instead become the grown-up, and have a better chance to create a more positive outcome.
If someone close to you has a medical emergency and you find yourself at the hospital, If your flight is delayed and you wind up waiting for hours at the airport, if anything stresses you and throws you off your center, sometimes even a small part of your form may be used as a powerful antidote to the negativity which may ensue.
This centering of your own self may then extend beyond your personal sphere and be beneficial for others as well.
“You can’t draw water from an empty well”
- Paula’s Kumu Lomilomi (Hawaiian spiritual massage teacher), referring to the need to take care of yourself in order to be able to help others.
Aloha
