Greetings All ~
What makes us tick? What is it that gets us going? What is the catalyst? What happens when the fire dies and how is it rekindled?
There are basic body functions that get us going. We gotta get up to eliminate. There have been times when I have felt so fatigued by life—let's call it depressed—that I haven't wanted to exit the cocoon of bed and blanket. I would lie there, thinking, "I can't do this life thing." [Before I go further, I do understand there are those who are much further into depression than I have ever been.] But I had to get up and pee, or live with that action. Sitting up, standing, walking, moving, shook the mental clouds. Then brushing the teeth, the thought of a shower and doing it; and there I was, albeit reluctantly, starting another day.
It's the movement that gives birth to more movement, and thus, actions. Now, I could look in the mirror and say, "OK. You're doin' it. It's happening." The clock gets wound, the ticking starts. Recently I was laid up due to foot surgery. I had help from friends and I was doing minimal tasks. (Fortunately, I didn't have to walk through the desert with my tribe.) When all was healed and done I started taking walks again. I felt as if I was waking up. The lack of movement had dulled me out. And the experience provided me with a new take on things.
Biologically, what makes us tick is hormones. These signaling molecules from the endocrine system are intricately transported through the body to regulate physiology and behaviors. The cycle takes mere seconds. A full flood takes about 3 minutes. Most everything we do can be traced to hormones. Everything we do stimulates a response from them. I think it's why animals stretch to get going. They're loading up on the stuff. Take a moment, right now, and just stretch. Refreshing isn't it? It's a reset. It's a way to wake up Spirit.
When in balance, hormones are pretty damn fun. That's what yoga is about. That's what exercising is about. Either of these can be underdone (as in recovering from foot surgery) or overdone. I know people who have gotten addicted to running and have worn out their joints (not fun). I know people who have spent an inordinate amount of time in yoga classes (not fun for their friends and family). To go further, I unknowingly spent time trying to replace what comes hormonally with artificial substances (dangerous). Other choices such as shopping, gambling, out-of-control controlling are nothing more than the search for a hit of that hormone called dopamine.
Dopamine comes to us when we feel rewarded. That feeling of triumph, like a runner, hands in the air crossing the finish line. That sense of accomplishment after the completion of weeding the garden, writing a term paper or cleaning the kitchen. We seek out this reward by setting goals and making the targets. The thing about it is, when you get the spike of dopamine, it is routinely followed by a crash. It leaves you wanting more. That's when we may choose to overdo it or find that other way. The additive design of social media is based on this dopamine cycle. "That was cute. Let's see another" or "That really pissed me off. I'm posting!" And then we wait and check back for a "like"—and in the meantime, just scrolling away.
So this is all going to happen. It's biological and it feeds our monkey minds. What to do? There are many things. I, however, choose yoga and meditation. Physical movement to stimulate the endocrine system followed by a structured practice of pranayam, visualisation, chanting or simply just being. It's the best way I've found to start on the good foot. And the rest of the day?
A To-Do list is a really good, tangible way to ride the hormonal see-saw. It's my new trick. Each time I cross off something as completed, I get that hit of dopamine followed by an inevitable crash. Then, I tackle the next thing on the list. It keeps me from detouring. It's also important to notice unlisted accomplishments. Maybe food shopping was on the list. And those groceries got put away (check). Something like this seems insignificant, but it has kept me from reaching for a coffee too late in the day or starting that time-wasting scroll. Using it as a tool can help to keep spirits up when slogging through the swampy times. Simple rewards are healing.
Take the Win, you deserve it.
All Good Things,
Vicky Rose