Replacing agitation with calm

I rarely pay attention to Mercury Retrograde thinking it doesn’t affect me, but I have to say this one is kicking me in the technical pants! I’m having issues with every computer, phone and web task.  Things need to be accomplished, but as the problems mount and my limitations render me unable to resolve them with ease or speed, I find I’m suddenly feeling hungry. The agitation is knocking on my attitudinal door and my voice could definitely get an edge on to answer.

This is the moment where I get to decide if I’m going to go with that reaction or use what I know to stay balanced and calm. I choose the latter.

Here’s what I do:

1. Sit tall and aligned so that my body doesn’t become tense or contracted.
2. Breathe deeply, allowing my abdomen to release with each inhalation.
3. Gently fill the lungs to the top in order to slow the cycle.
4. Exhale slowly imagining any tension leaving my body with the breath.
5. Release my tongue and jaw.
6. Smile.
7. Put things in perspective: this is not life threatening or even livelihood threatening. 
8. Remind myself that I’m learning, which is something I love to do. I have an insatiable curiosity and now would be a good time to engage it.
9. Ask for help with humour and patience, and hire someone if necessary.

The trick to being able to implement these tools in the heat of the moment  is to catch the thoughts and feelings before they hijack our mood and common sense. Daily practice, preferably in the morning, develops the muscle and presence to do this. When we develop this calm and balanced habit of response it is available for the great big huge problems too.