Reading back through many of my blog posts I notice how often I say things like; “I think that…” or “I wonder if…” These are comments that relate to the head. I also noticed that whilst I do say comments such as “I feel as if…” – I don’t say them as often.
Without a doubt, I generally live in my head more than my heart.
Mind-full-ness is by default mind-full.
When it’s all in your head
“I think, therefor I am,” the philosopher Descartes said. Thinking is how we know we’re alive. Or at least that’s how I know it, because: head’s up – I’m a very heady person.
My chronic pain is essentially head-related. Chronic migraine also gives me nausea and general aches and pains, but the head pain is, for me, the worst part of the condition.
Meanwhile, so many of the activities that I have tried to reduce my chronic head pain have also been head-related. Which seems intuitively sensible. Or potentially ironic (even moronic?).
Here’s a few posts that spring to mind (and yes, I noticed what I did there):
+ Taking out the trash (talk) – is about how we talk to ourselves in our heads.
+ Visualization – is you guessed it; conducted with your mind’s eye.
+ Mindful movement – sounds like it’s body-focused, and it is. But to pay attention to how you move your body, you have to think about it. At least you do as a beginner.
+ Better breathing – can be a completely intuitive exercise; just breathe slowly and deeply. Nothing more. However, many activities rely on you placing your awareness into the action. Sometimes you are encouraged to count or visualize colored air going in and out of your lungs. Again; mind-full-ness.
+ Meditation – as a beginner, most of my meditations involve being aware of my thoughts as if they were clouds on a mountaintop. The aim is to be as free-of-thoughts as possible. To brush thoughts aside. Repeatedly. And yet by concentrating on non-thoughts you are still in your head. (That said, body-scans are a potentially more body-based approach worth trying if you can.)
Getting out of your head
About a year ago I wrote about a mind-body coach who helps people remember to listen to their body: to FEEL things rather than just THINK about them. I had the revelation that up until that time I had acted as if I was a brain on a stick.
Listening to my body has made a huge difference in navigating my migraines. Instead of waiting for head pain or nausea to indicate that a migraine was underway, I noticed subtle signs. Everything from tingly cheeks or the suddenly strong smell of everyday items (such as soap) hinted to me that I was in the migraine-danger-zone.
Another post related to this, put the discovery slightly differently: listen to the whispers before they wail.
All of this is powerful and encouraged me to start thinking more about the body-mind connection others were advocating. Or not thinking about it. It’s tricky, but I tried not to prioritize my mind.
But what about if we go even deeper, and focus on the heart?
Looking at the world from a heart-perspective
On Valentines Day each year, it’s easy to see the world through rose-colored glasses. Shop windows are filled with flowers and hearts and adorable greeting card messages. I’m not a huge fan of the commercialization of it all, but I absolutely love love.
There are many times when we might feel an unexpected surge of strong love. Often, it can take your breath away or brings tears to your eyes. Holding a newborn baby in your arms, for example. Or on anniversaries that celebrate the wonderful people or events in your life. Watching other people get married always gets me good. Even graduation ceremonies make me tear up when I FEEL the power of so much potential… all those new futures flowering…
Then there’s losing my dog. Patting his sister-dog. Seeing other dogs on TV or on the street that remind me of my furry friend who passed. Reading all of your comments that sent love and understanding, and the stories of your own pet-losses. All of these moments created a surge of emotion. In my heart.
Yes, I can fall back into my head and begin reminiscing, turning memories over in my mind. But, by and large, these were visceral moments.
Heart-felt.
Not mind-full.
This is a blog about mindfulness, so make no mistake; I’m not going to be giving it up any time soon.
BUT.
Living from your heart is VERY powerful.
For you and the rest of the world.
If you have time, go back and re-read my post about the “Walk for Peace” where Buddhist monks walked from one side of the USA to the other. To promote peace. To promote kindness. Just because.
Kindness matters.
Living from the heart
Once you become aware of the moments that make your heart swell, pay attention to what is happening in your body.
I previously wrote about GLIMMERS and showed you a glimmer-library where I collected images of things in my life that made me smile.
Surround yourself with the things and people that make you FEEL good. Absorb those good vibes. Try to carry them in your body. Then try to send those good vibes back out into the world around you.
In the same way that I began to listen to the whispers that my body was sending me, I now listen to the whispers of my heart. Sometimes I sense a gentle sigh, other times, a quickening, or a tightening. I can’t always articulate what the heart is trying to say to me, but I do notice it is speaking.
Quirky as it sounds, I have also started to hear the beat of other people’s hearts. I’m becoming more receptive to all the hearts around me, and all around the world.
This is still very new for (head-centered) me.
But living from the heart as often as you can feels right.
Thank you everyone for being here, and for being you.
May you all find the time, energy and ways to drop from your head to your heart as often as possible.
(Consider this a gentle, loving, nudge from me to you to try it.)
Sending love to all of you and yours, may the ripple effect find you.
Take care taking care,
Linda xx
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