Are You Having An Off Day?

Some days, for no good reason at all, we wake up feeling off, not our usual selves, maybe even a little down. Does this mean there’s something wrong with us? Does this mean our spiritual practices are failing? Does this mean we should give up on ourselves or our dreams?

Absolutely not.

Life goes up and down. There is an ebb and flow to it and this applies to how we feel as well.

It’s when these challenging days strike that our spiritual practices become most important. It’s during the difficult times that it’s most important to stay present, to be non-reactive, to have faith and to practice self-love and acceptance.

Sometimes that means pushing the pause button on the hustle and the go-go-go mentality that drives much of our success and productivity. Sometimes, it means just doing nothing. Sometimes it means cozying up under the covers and putting on our favorite record or movie. Sometimes all we need is a nurturing cup of tea and a soul-filling read. Or perhaps it’s time to call that friend who always lifts our spirits.

I’ve been having one of those days today. I’m in New York, I’ve got a show tonight and life is good all around. I’ve been having an amazing week of inspiring and synchronistic unfoldings and for no good reason at all, I woke up feeling out of it this morning.  So despite having had an idea of how I wanted to feel today or an expectation of how the day was going to go, I’ve had to be take it as it comes. I’ve had to be kinder to myself, take it a little easier than I had planned and be ok with doing my best. It’s also interesting to notice how in this state, my mind wants to attach all sorts of negative meanings to how I’m feeling and use this moment of vulnerability as an opportunity to go to darker places.

So my practice today is self-love, gratitude, presence, non-reaction and acceptance. For me, that includes some extra time spent in prayer, some extra time spent in pj’s and a focus on being kind to myself in what thoughts I entertain and in the tone of my internal dialogue. Oh and a cup of peppermint tea with some chocolate to cap off the day won’t hurt either 

Maybe today is an off day. That’s ok. You’re still alive. Your heart is still beating. You still have so much to be thankful for. And even though you don’t feel as great as you wish you could, remember that this too shall pass. It’s by accepting where you are and focusing on the things that will lift you up that you can heal and move through what you’re feeling more swiftly.

So if you’re having off day, don’t panic. Don’t judge yourself or jump to conclusions. Look within and listen a little more closely. What is your body telling you? What is your heart telling you? What is your soul whispering to you?

Love yourself through it and you’ll be back on before you know it!

Much love,

Chris

Published by The Daily Love (June 9th, 2013)