Lightening up.

Oh my goodness, friend. The past two weeks of focusing on savoring the moment were delicious. Thank you so much for joining me!

This week, we're going to explore ways we might lighten up.

---

We can explore lightening up... physically.

For example, as we walk we could explore.... How might we step more lightly? What does that do for us? What is it like to move with lighter feet? A lighter head? A lighter heart? A lighter _____? What do you notice/sense?

Sometimes it can help to really exaggerate and contrast what we are exploring with its opposite. With that in mind, what is it like to move with heavy feet? A heavy head? A heavy heart? etc.....?

How about you, friend? What works for you? How can you help your body feel lighter and more at ease?

---

We can also explore lightening up... mentally.

How heavy are your thoughts? What is the weight of your mental load? Is there any way to lighten it?

For example, for me, I could consume less information this week. When tempted to fill empty space with a podcast, a scroll, a quick check of the news, etc., I could stay with (and enjoy) the quiet spaciousness instead. Quiet time allows me to think through my thoughts. If I don't give myself enough quiet, my mind fills up with toooooo much to think about.  Quiet allows me to expend my thoughts, rather than let them stack up.

Another thing that would help me: Do the things I need to do. Sometimes when the To Do list gets heavy, the best thing I can do is: do the stuff (so I can check it off and be done)!  Who'd a thought? Lol. For me, sometimes the key to making progress is lowering my expectations and taking smaller steps (so that I don't get overwhelmed and freeze up).

A third thing that helps me: writing things down. I can get really stressed if I try to remember everything in my head. Whether it is an idea for a class focus, a grocery list, or things I want to make sure I do today, taking a moment to write it down helps me to feel a lot lighter and free, mentally.

How about you? What works for you? How might you help your mind feel lighter and more at ease this week?

---

We can explore it... emotionally.

How heavy are your emotions these days? Some heavy ones that come to mind for me are shame and resentment. Oof. How about you, friend? Is it possible to lighten the load in any way?

For example, for things from the past that I'm ashamed of, I could focus on taking steps to make amends... and also forgiving myself for choices I regret.

For lightening the hurt/resentment that I feel towards someone who hurt or betrayed me, perhaps I could: focus on forgiveness, attempt to see the situation from their perspective, or remind myself that I, too, am not perfect, and haven't always made great choices. Usually those practices help me to feel lighter pretty quickly.

As for the heaviness of any emotions in general, something that really helps me is to simply give myself time and space to feel them (and move them). My 2 favorite go-to ways: #1 dancing, and #2 walking.

How about you? What works for you? How can you help your heart feel lighter and more at ease this week?

---

We might even explore this... spiritually.

What helps you to live & be... light?

To lighten up? To be the light?

What feels heavy? Is there anything you might want to simplify? Anything you want to let go of in order to create more space?

How might you embrace a lightness of being?

Maybe even a levity? A playfulness?

How can you help your spirit feel lighter and more at ease this week?

We could even explore this... communally.

When things are especially heavy, how might you reach out so that your friends, family, loved ones, and broader community can help you with the load?

How might you help lighten up the load... the moment... the day... or the lives of others?

Ok.... so... sound like enough to explore this week? :)

As always, can't wait to see what we discover. See you soon!

Much love,

 Dani

---

Want to join us this week for some movement, friendship, and good vibes?

CLASS SCHEDULE

• Sundays, 10 AM Central on Zoom

• Mondays, 5:45 PM at the Cedar Falls Woman's Club

• Tuesdays, 5:30 PM at Dani's house

• Wednesdays, 5:30 PM Central on Zoom

• Thursdays, 9 AM Central on Zoom