Planning for the here and now AND for the distant future
How are you, lovely people?
On my side, it’s been a very intense few weeks. In the most glorious way! I can’t quite believe we’re only three weeks into January! Phew!
I’ve had some profound shifts after reconnecting with some intense childhood experiences. I stumbled upon a deep layer that’s allowed me to begin a shift away from a subtle but persistent victim narrative.
In fact, I’ve had Arnold Schwarzenegger’s* voice in my head saying ‘STOP WHINING!’ à la Kindergarten Cop, which has been tickling me. I am a big fan of self-compassion. But I also appreciate calling myself out when I am sliding into victim mode. I don’t quite fully know what I’ve let go of yet – maybe I’ll never know! All I know is that I feel a shift. And I am enjoying exploring this new energy within me. And I am amused by my mind sending in Arnie to lovingly integrate the whining parts of me 😉
(*Fun fact: I love Arnie so much, I used his film character surnames as table names at my wedding: Kimble, Quaid, Tasker, Richards… I’ve got you thinking about his films now huh!? Can you guess without Googling?!)
Anyway! Here’s a rather sprawling Friday Feels for you 🙂
1. Song of the week
White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane (Listen on Spotify or watch this pretty trippy clip on YouTube)
Having watched The Matrix Resurrections a few weeks back, I’ve been enjoying the soundtrack on Spotify. The writer and singer of that ace song, Grace Slick, was caught up in a suspected plot to spike US President Richard Nixon with a big dose of LSD, Wikipedia tells me! Can you imagine… This 1967 classic is very enjoyable to dance to in the kitchen! Unless you’re Richard Nixon on acid, then you *become* the kitchen!
2. Quote of the week
“If you don’t take time for your wellness, you will be forced to take time for your illness.”
― Joyce Sunada
A similar old adage comes to mind: ‘If you listen to your body when it whispers, you won’t have to hear it scream.’ I hosted a wellbeing session for a big business this week, and listening to body signals was a key message I shared.
When we ignore the signs, there will come a time when your body forces you to slow down anyway. Sometimes, our minds will say ‘I can’t afford to take a break!’ That’s a tricky one to get past, I know. But that’s just busy-ness talking. Do what you can. It’s totally OK to listen to your body and take a break.
At my next in-person breathwork workshop on Sunday 6th February, we will explore the theme of rest and reset. Listen to your body and get your ticket here.
3. Practice of the week
Shiatsu massage! As part of this weird and wonderful few weeks, I had a shiatsu massage with a very brilliant practitioner. ‘The Body Keeps The Score’ came to mind because I had a *lot* of emotion coming up (which I mentioned in last week’s Friday Feels). I am aware through my breathwork training of how emotional trauma can reside in the body (‘our issues are in our tissues’). But I am increasingly able to EXPERIENCE this through bodywork.
It was incredibly powerful – I cried, swore, trembled and felt a full spectrum of emotions. By the end of the massage, I had tears of gratitude for the release from my body and from the support I had. I felt safe in their presence. I knew I wouldn’t be judged. Space holders very much need space holders too! And I am deeply grateful for the talented practitioners in my life who hold space for me. Thank you! x
4. Article of the week
How do you communicate deadly information to humans in 10,000 years? What if all written language disappears? Along with the languages we speak now?
I caught up with some old friends, who were visiting from the US. Over coffee, we had a lovely long rambling catch up and one of our many topics we touched on was the importance of language and symbolism. I was reminded of this rather surreal project about nuclear waste storage – read more here from the BBC.
But it also makes me reflect on this: what decisions are we making NOW for future generations? And rather than just warn them about the consequences of our actions now (like nuclear waste), what if we tried to empower them? In First People’s culture, decisions would be made trying to understand the impact on the next seven generations. THE NEXT SEVEN GENERATIONS 🤯 How far in advance do you plan/think? I have a 5-10 year vision… but planning 10,000 years in advance… Wow! Nope. My mind goes blank. How about you?
With our growing understanding of transgenerational trauma, that wisdom of planning for seven generations ahead seems to bear fruit.
I am curious about organizations like The Long Now Foundation, who I discovered via the work of James Nestor (watch his amazing talk on The Future of Breathing here). The Long Now Foundation is also interested in thinking long term.
Can you imagine what human life will look like that far in the future? What knowledge is worth saving? 🤔 If you could create a time capsule for 10,000 years to come, what useful information would you want to pass onto future humans, to help them live and thrive? So much to reflect on.
5. Client win of the week
‘I feel excited by the clarity with what to focus on! I know what I need to do and I feel confident to go after the big things that scare me!’
From planning 10,000 years into the future, to being in the here and now (phew! what a zoom in that was!). Planning for THIS life and exploring your desires is a big focus for my clients. I love to help them discover what is important to them, what they want to explore and experience in this lifetime.
When clients get that clarity – boom! It feels exhilarating. When your mental attention aligns with your heart-felt intention, that’s where the magic happens and you start making speedy progress towards meaningful goals ❤️🔥
If you’re feeling stuck and stagnant about your career or business, get in touch about what working together looks like.
Work with me
Breathwork workshop
I am also hosting another 3-hour in-person Breathwork workshop (ticketed), on Sunday 6 February, exploring ways to invite more rest into our lives, to allow our minds and bodies to reset. To find out more and to book your place, click this link!
That was a bit of a romp around a lot of topics in this Friday Feels, eh?
My mind loves roaming around, so thanks for roaming with me!
Have a superb weekend.
Big love,
Briony xx
P.S. What is this Friday Feels email about? In case you’re reading this for the first time (hello!), I post a weekly blog with snippets from my world of coaching, meditation and breathwork. My intention is to share useful, joyful or interesting tidbits, which may serve you in some way 🙏
