Soul Reset

Unplug, refresh, reset your soul.

    This past weekend I went on a retreat. Something I have been wanting to do for years but never seemed to be able to fit it into my schedule. The stars finally aligned, and it fell on a weekend that worked for me. I went with two close friends and to put it simply, it was amazing. One of my friends introduced me to a guided breathwork I will for sure be doing on a regular basis. My other friend and I did some interpretative dancing together in our tent (we weren’t quite ready for doing it in the crowd.) We went on a nature walk and relaxed in a hammock. We learned something called Bagua Circle Walking, which was incredible, and I felt the effects for hours afterwards. We created neurographic art, participated in kirtan chanting, learned sonic anatomy, and so much more. We laughed so hard it hurt. The only worry we had about the time was making sure we didn’t miss the next class or gathering.

           In the end of August I got sick with an inner ear infection that ended up causing a retracted ear drum and it took almost two months to recover. I was unable to do yoga or any movement more than walking around my neighborhood because of the dizziness. I stopped doing the things that help me stay centered on a daily basis. I barely painted or did any crafts, I was eating poorly, and overall I felt just plain awful. I knew I needed to get back on the right track but to be honest, I couldn’t find the motivation to do it. 

           I signed up for the retreat before all of that and I am so glad I did. Because the way I had been feeling if I hadn’t already had it planned, I probably wouldn’t have had the motivation or courage to do it. But the retreat served as a reset for me. It made me feel connected again to the natural world and to my own divine energy. It’s been only three days, but I’ve since gone on a four-mile hike and done two qigong videos. I am eating better, sleeping better, and feeling more energetic.

           Which brings me to my main point: sometimes in life we need a reset. Just like some people do a juice cleanse or dry January to reset their physical bodies after over-indulging during the holidays, our spiritual and energetic bodies also can benefit from a reset. A camping trip off the grid, a 72-hour break from social media, not checking your email for the weekend, a vacation to the beach, a weeklong silent retreat, it can look different for each person. But the benefits are clearly noticeable. In the current time we are living in more is more and the busier your schedule the more successful and happier you are meant to be.

           But are you really?

           For me a reset means slowing down. I am the happiest and healthiest when I limit the amount of time I spend on social media, and yes, even when that means not constantly getting the word out there about my books and my spiritual message. When my days are free and I can do what feels right in the moment, whether that be thirty minutes of yoga, journaling, going for a hike, or just sitting outdoors in the sunshine.

           We all have obligations, bills to pay, meals to prepare, toilets to clean. But making the time to do what your soul needs is just as important, if not more so, than all the items on your to-do list. So here is your invitation for a reset. Maybe you have time in the next few weeks to take a mini-vacation somewhere peaceful. Maybe you have a free weekend with nothing on your schedule and you can stay home and recharge. Maybe you can carve out an hour each morning or evening to do something just for you that fills your soul up. It doesn’t matter how or when, it just matters that you do it. Because when we make the time to reset our energy towards what is truly meaningful and healthy for us the benefits are endless.