I've learned over the years that I'm what's called an External Processor. This means I process thoughts and emotions through external means - talking, writing, etc. And it turns out I have many friends in my circle that do the same (shocker). However, my husband of six years is the opposite. He's an introvert and tends to process much differently than I.
I had the opportunity in September of 2011 to attend a grief retreat in Ojai, CA.
At this retreat, we had the chance to sit with our grief/pain and listen to what it had to teach us. One of the many pearls I gained from this experience was learning about my own tool box for healing. I literally wrote down in my journal, all the things I do to stay centered and grounded! It was a big list, right there in front of me, making me aware of just how many tools I already had in place.
I now come back to this list as a reminder of what's available for me to feel better, at any moment in life.
We all have our ways of coping and these are just mine that I've picked up along the way. All of us have various tool boxes that work for us and I'm aware that some are healthier for us than others. But I do not discriminate when it comes to human emotional and physical pain. We all do what we need to do to get by!
Anytime I forget, I just revisit the tool box.
Jennifer's Tool Box, August 5, 2014
Meditation, Rattling, Yoga, Food, Beer, Stretching, Swimming, Hiking, Walking, Listening to film score music, Change breathing, Writing/Journaling, Being in nature, Reading articles online, Listening to Hayhouse radio, Reading books on healing, Talking with friends, Emailing with friends, Hanging out with family, Hanging out with friends, Playing with dogs, Playing with kids, Singing, Playing guitar, Playing Ukulele, Watching movies, Watching TV shows, Cooking, Painting, Drawing, Travel, Listening to music...
