MONDAY'S MOTIVATIONAL MINUTE:" Reigniting The Fire Within"

Ever feel as though your enthusiasm is dwindling?

Been waking up without your usual zeal? You can’t put your finger on it, but you’re painfully aware that what has always comes so naturally to you; feelings of being vibrantly alive and excitement about the possibilities of a brand new day have mysteriously gone missing.  

Maybe it’s been like a slow leak. Your energy and enthusiasm just seemed to have slowly crept away while you weren’t looking. What you’ve been left with is a sense of complacency instead and you’ve begun to notice that something is more that just a little bit off.

 Maybe you’re actually feeling somewhat downtrodden as well AND you know that’s just not YOU!

  

As hard as you might try to muster it up, there’s not even a thin shred of your usual exuberance left lying around; definitely not even enough to try to snatch it up and make a run for it. This is bugging you because this is NOT YOU and it’s no fun feeling this way at all. SO what gives when you suddenly find yourself feeling dull, dark and dank, with no “hitch in your gitty-up” (thanks again dad for your Oklahoma-isms. Funny, but as I age they’re sounding OH SO wise )!

Well we’ve all been there and you need to know that it’s more than normal. Life has a natural ebb and flow in this department. BUT the good news is, it’s usually a momentary lapse in energy that we all experience from time to time. However, it’s also important to note that we don’t have to be a passenger on this “Wet Blanket Cruise” until its run its course. There are things we can choose to do to shake loose, break anchor and jump ship NOW.   

So, if you are feeling a little lack luster and dull. Or, if you have just noticed there’s a missing dose of enthusiasm about most things you really normally run to. Here’s what you need to know to reignite the fire within, get right back on track and once again… feel the joy you’ve been missing. 

1)    Understand this is a normal part of life. Take a deep breath and accept that we all will experience this type of ‘DRY SPELL’ from time to time. In fact, it will most likely occur several times during our short little stint on this planet. You will do well to remember this phrase… “This too shall pass” and keep repeating it. This will keep you from being overly concerned by what is just a normal part of the human condition. This way you won’t give it more MENTAL POWER over you than it deserves and it will fade more quickly than if you obsess over it. Focusing on it is extremely counter productive and can cause the feelings to grow! Remind yourself, “This is Normal… That’s all”. We don’t always need to know why, in order to just accept it and to TRUST that it will leave as it always has and move forward until it does. In our home, we call this type of thinking…. FAITH! Give it a whirl. It works!

2)    Look to see if your life is out of balance. Too much work? Not enough fun? Maybe no fun at all? Take a stone cold hard look into this, as it is OFTEN the culprit. Fix the imbalance and your enthusiasm will begin to return to you once again.

3)    This time of year can simply be the cause. Shorter daylight hours complete with colder weather and dreary days can bring us to an abrupt fizzle. Take some time to get outdoors when the weather is nice catch some rays, relax about it and you’ll soon adjust to the change of seasons. (If not, there is a seasonal depressive disorder that exists and if in time you still feel overwhelmed with listlessness, bring this to your doctor’s attention for further evaluation). Many of us have a noticeable adjustment period when our daylight hours become shorter and the weather begins to change. However, in most cases, our emotions come back into balance when the season changes.

4)    Lack of sleep can be a JOY KILLER. Get to bed and get some rest. Lack of sleep can cause feelings of depression, exhaustion and a complete lack of creativity. Get in your jammies and get some sleep.

And last…

5)    You may just need to try something new. Shake it up. Same old, same old can creep up and be a huge buzz kill. Take up something new…and watch what happens.

Then again….I feel the need to mention that there also lives amongst us, a group of people who are way outside of my scope of practice…thank goodness.  

These people are so OUT OF THEIR MINDS with a Pollyanna type of  perpetual “YIPEE” plastered and stuck to their faces that no matter what they may be facing, “THEY’RE GOOD…REALLY GREAT, JUST GREAT”!

They live in the township of Denial. You know, just outside the city of  STEPFORDVILLE! Ups and Downs are a part of life. This kind of plastic living isn’t healthy at all. We need room for real life with real emotions, never experiencing that…. Now THAT’S not normal!

Remember, your joy and enthusiasm for life is among your greatest assets.  Don’t ever just give in. Give it a LITTLE ATTENTION…and you will find your zeal once again…(Ps. I’ve heard journaling can be helpful here too…LOL. Nope, I’m not gonna let it go )!

Until next time,

Candace