Mindful Monday: True strength is your essence

I'm sharing a personal experience I've been navigating the past few months.

Recently, I've been dealing with intense, persistent pain in my neck and head. It's been a real challenge, and if I'm honest, there were times when I wondered if I could endure it. But this experience has deepened my understanding of mindfulness, resilience, and self-compassion, so I want to share it with you.

I would love to say that through this painful period, I was the observer of my discomfort, always detached and grounded. But the truth is, it wasn't always that simple.

There were days when I struggled when the pain seemed all-consuming, and I felt very disconnected from my body. The constant focus on my head center left me feeling ungrounded and, at times, overwhelmed.

Amid this struggle, I began to notice something. When I could shift my awareness from the pain in my head to my body, particularly my belly, legs, and feet, where there was no pain, I started to feel more grounded. Reconnecting to my body's solid foundation felt so comforting.

In the moments I wanted to give up, another part of me showed up—strength, an essential quality of our true nature, that feeling and knowing that 'I can do this.'

Meditation is a core part of my daily routine, a practice I cherish and rely on to bring me clarity and feel grounded during the day. But during this period of physical discomfort, it became much more challenging to meditate. I noticed how the pain in my neck often interrupted my ability to focus, and I found it harder to settle into my practice.

However, I didn't give up.

Though my meditations were not as long or deep as usual, I found moments of ease, especially when I meditated, lying in bed at night and allowing my body to relax. Doing this was self-compassion and meeting myself exactly where I was at.

I practiced self-compassion, being gentle with myself, and letting go of expectations of how I should or shouldn't be feeling or what I should or shouldn't be doing or acting.

As I write this now, I feel a lightness in my neck and head—a sense of freedom. It's as if I'm resurfacing after a long period of feeling very preoccupied. And that, in itself, is empowering.

Being in a body can be a beautiful experience, but it can also be challenging at times.  It can feel like both a source of strength and vulnerability.

What I know to be true is that we all have an inner strength, a part of us that is unwavering even in the toughest times. For me, it's been about acknowledging both my vulnerability and strength and trusting that they can coexist and work together. Vulnerability is not a weakness. In this instance, it's been a gateway to my deep inner strength, an invitation to practice more self-compassion.

I didn't realize how immersed I was in this experience until the pain was gone. And then I felt a bit disoriented at first. You know that feeling when something can be so intense that when the dust settles, the questions 'What just happened?' and 'How do I feel now?' linger afterward?

As I emerge from this challenging period, I feel a sense of gratitude for the support I received from practitioners, for the moments of stillness amidst the chaos, and for my ability to reconnect with my body and true essence. 

I share this with you not to seek sympathy but as a reminder that we are all capable of more than we think. Even in our most challenging moments, there is strength, growth, and the opportunity to feel grounded in essence.

I am reminded of why I practice mindfulness and meditate on a daily basis: I have greater access to my essence and the strength to stay the course.

Once again, it shows that while I cannot control what happens in my outer world, I can choose how I respond. And there is freedom when I live my life from the inside out.

If you're facing your own challenges, whether physical, emotional, or otherwise, I invite you to be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself like you would a dear friend or loved one. Know that your strength is already within you. It's always been there—trust in it and your ability to tap into it and navigate your way through.