Don't Panic

I’ve recently had a series of unfortunate events. As I was sharing with my mentor and friend all that was going on, I told her that life was just feeling hard, that I feel like I have been hit by a Mac truck (or a few). Her question back, “What could make it softer?” got me thinking because I don't tend to be the kind of a person to blame the world for my frustrations. I usually feel like you find a lesson in every single thing, that there is a silver lining, something to be gained even when things aren't going right (aka the way you expected them to go).

But this time, the onslaught was just too much and I was completely overwhelmed.
Then  a video popped up on my Facebook Feed:

I stopped scrolling through and watched it and was immediately struck by this video and my own situation. I was being given the exact formula for getting myself unstuck and back on solid ground.

Here are the steps:

1 – Don’t Panic

Your lungs could fill with ice cold water and you will drown. You have to allow yourself to feel that shock of the cold water.

2 – Breathe and Relax

Take a deep breath and relax. Do the things that will calm you down from your sense of fear and overwhelm. Take care of yourself.

3 – Give yourself space

You need room to think. Give yourself space to think and plan the next step. Even if it is a small step. Break the ice around you (use your feet). Do not let the ice trap you.

4 – Kick your legs to break the ice behind you

Continue to break the ice behind you. Crush all of that that is holding you in place here and by doing so, you will start moving, getting your energy and warmth up.

5- Use this energy/movement to start propelling yourself forward (slowly)

You are not going to put your hands on the ice and push yourself up. Doing so would sink you. Kicking out behind you allows you to slowly propel yourself forward horizontally onto the ice, little by little.

6 – Go all in and be vulnerable

Spread your entire self, arms and legs wide onto the ice. You are fully vulnerable on this thin ice and fully committed but you have also cast yourself wide exploring and receiving all the support that is coming to you. Allow this. You are out of the cold water but not off of the ice yet.

7 – Continue to move forward until the ground is beneath you

You cannot stay partially in the situation. You must keep moving forward until you have solid ground beneath you BEFORE you stand up. Continue to wiggle forward in small motions until you are ready to slowly stand up.

I am in the kicking forward stage at the moment. I am not even yet out of the ice water, but I'm getting there.  

It’s a hard place to be when fall through the ice. It may seem to come out of nowhere. Allow the shock to wash over you and breathe through it. 

I would love to hear how you are receiving this message today. Share with me by replying or commenting online.