Tools

 

I have been on stress leave for the past month and will be for at least 4 more weeks. There are days when I feel things are improving and my frame of mind is mostly positive. Then there are the moments that get away from me and I struggle emotionally. 

Thankfully everyday brings with it a new start. Practicing gratitude each day helps with my emotional and spiritual wellbeing. When I practice gratitude at the start of my day it helps to put me in a positive frame of mind and appreciation for all to come. Practicing gratitude in the evening helps me to recognize my successes, accomplishments and lessons for the day. 

Those brief moments where I struggle internally can throw me off course. Recognizing when this is happening is the first step. I can mitigate the negative effects through journaling, practicing gratitude and Yoga. The outside stressors in my life have decreased somewhat but I am finding my emotional wellbeing is still lagging behind. I wouldn't be surprised if my mental illness plays a role in that lag between cause and effect.

Kung Fu and the IHC have provided me with multiple tools over the years. Those accumulated tools have enormous value and potential. Some of which is still untapped and waiting to be discovered. What I've come to realize lately is that the most important tool of all is scheduled class time. It is the routine and consistency of a regularly scheduled class that helps to build structure and can reground me during life's ups and downs, even when I don't feel like attending.