A Choice Between Grace And Impatience
There are many moments during the day where you can either go into a state of impatience, or be in a state of grace.
Sometimes we do not know that there are other options, sometimes we forget, sometimes we are aware but cannot access anything else, and sometimes we simply do not want to choose anything else.
There was a time in my life were impatience ruled over me, and I simply did not have access to grace. I was born with a sense of impatience, and being raised in NY did NOT help my case whatsoever. Neither did advances in technology, expedited overnight shipping, and all the new methods of convenience.
It is only when I submersed myself in the healing arts 16 years ago that I started to learn to slow down the "knee-jerk" impatience reaction/impulse I had and (drastically) reduced the amount of times it would set off. That is also when I learned what Grace is and how important it is when it comes to the body, healing, connection, life, and the collective experience.
Grace has become far more than just the meaning of my name (yes, that is what Anu means). It has become my intention to be the embodiment of it as much as possible, and to share it with others especially when it is most challenging, because that is when it matters most. And that is going to shape the collective experience for everyone moving forward. But I have no interest in doing it or being it alone...which is why I want to share what it can offer you, versus impatience.
These 2 states have different effects on the nervous system, and different impact on the mind/body/spirit.
With Impatience:
The body tenses, contracts, and gets ready to run or fight. The mind races. The sympathetic nervous system is activated which creates a flood of chemicals and stress hormones to continuously dump into the gut, affecting digestion, rest, and repair. This is a closed system where nothing can get in. And the energy of that person starts to get irritated and aggressive. There is an underlying fear that time and energy are running out and is based on lack. This kind of energy is a repellant and pushes people away.
With Grace:
The body is relaxed, open, and spacious. This is a state of of pure receptivity, trust, and surrender. Healing, miracles, gifts, blessings can occur because this is an open system. The parasympathetic nervous system is accessible and active which is the state that the body needs to be in for healing, rest, digestion, and repair. The mind is relaxed and has access to creativity, genius, and possibility. There is a magnetic quality drawing people, places, and opportunities in towards you. There is an invitation for healthy connection (as agitation, irritation, aggression, and survival mechanisms are not present).
These are two opposing states, energies, and forces. They cannot co-exist. Trust me, I've tried every permutation possible because I did not want to fully give up my habit of impatience.
The lie I told myself is that it was just part of my personality because I'm born and bred in NY, and that it makes me more "powerful, competent, and efficient" than another.
The truth is that it was simply a pattern that was ingrained in my subconscious through repetitive choices and behavior, and it was familiar to me. It was what I knew.
We operate from the place that is familiar. Not from what we like or is healthy.
And the deeper truth is that patterns are actually addictions. There is a chemical response that is created with every repetitive set of habits and behaviors which create patterns in the subconscious.
Why does this matter? Why is this important to know?
Because the fact of the matter is that there is no space for healing, learning, growth, development, and healthy connection with the wiring/habit/pattern/addiction of impatience present.
And we, individually and collectively are learning, healing, growing, and expanding together.
So the next time you find yourself in a situation where you are feeling impatient whether with yourself, another, or a situation...remember to PAUSE...take a few deep breaths. Talk to yourself and take yourself off the ledge. Take the gun off your head and take the pressure off that it's all or nothing right now. It is not do or die.
The "pause" and breathing will create an interruption in the reflexive pattern that wants to kick in. This will be an opportunity to pull the plug on this addiction, rather than feed it. Then give the mind another thought to obsess over and grab hold of since it loves to do that such as "Show me Grace. Allow Grace to move through me."...and see what happens. Notice what your experience turns into.
While it may be challenging to un-learn at times, it is certainly possible because I am doing it. And not only is it possible, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
It is just a matter of practice. Repetition and practice.
May you remember that Grace is an option, and may you have access to it, may you experience it, and may you it become more and more familiar.
If you need support with un-doing this wiring and un-learning this pattern, I am here.