The Quicksand Plan

 

“You're playing and you think everything is going fine. Then one thing goes wrong. And then another. And another. You try to fight back, but the harder you fight, the deeper you sink. Until you can't move... you can't breathe... because you're in over your head. Like quicksand.”  This quote from the movie The Replacements plays out in our own lives sometimes over and over.  You move along doing your day to day things until you get a flat tire.  Okay, breathe, get the tire fixed and move on.  Then you find out at work the next day your supervisor criticizes everything you have done for the past month even after you asked for feedback at the time.  Finally, your toddler spikes a fever and you need to stay home with them for the next two days and try to get in for a pediatrician appointment.  Overwhelmed?  I am and this isn’t even my life!!

So what do you do while you are desperately clinging to the end of your rope and trying to tie a knot in it so you can hang on?  First, you need to bring your awareness to your body.  Is your heart beating rapidly?  Do your muscles feel tense?  Do you feel as if you are going to cry?  After assessing what your systems reactions are to this over load you will be in a better position to find remedies and coping mechanisms.  Begin by finding a place where you can take some time to bring yourself back to balance.  Sit comfortably and bring your attention to your breathing.  As you begin to take slow, deep breaths, remember to allow your stomach to expand with each inhale and relax with each exhale.  In your mind’s eye, picture a place that brings calm, a beach, a mountaintop, a forest, or your favorite

vacation spot.  Hear the sound of the ocean, the cry of an eagle, the rustle of leaves, or any sound that takes you to your favorite space.  Smell the things that take you to your favorite space as well.  Allow your mind to drift on the calmness of this space.  Allow yourself to release the stressors that have overwhelmed you in the past hours, days, or weeks.  Notice that your heartbeat has slowed to a relaxed state, your muscles have released any tension and are also relaxed, you feel balanced and refreshed. Know that you can return to this space of relaxation whenever you need to do so.  

So many of us make excuses that we have no time for ourselves that we continue on the insane treadmill of life without thought as to how to manage the stress and tension that overwhelm us.  It is only when we come to a crashing halt through an illness or accident that we could have avoided had we not been in such a hurry that we are forced by the universe to take a break.  Most times we are frustrated with this state of inaction because we’re busy and need to get back to life.  We neglect to take advantage of this valuable time that has been given to us to examine ways in which to slow down; ways in which we can create new habits and patterns in our lives for when reality is again upon us and our schedules take over.  I would like to encourage you to seize this time to make those changes and do some self exploration.  Reconnect with yourself.  Rediscover your passions, dreams and perhaps even some hobbies that you enjoy but don’t make time for anymore.  So perhaps when you come out of this period of stasis, you will be better equipped to handle the overwhelming times in your life and avoid the quicksand.