A Simple Practice from Dianna Amorde
Hello, my name is Dianna, and I have the honor and pleasure of being the executive director of Eremos, a center of contemplative life.
Like many, I have felt the stress and sometimes anxiety of the challenges that we’re facing in the world and the changes in my work and life because of the pandemic. A simple practice. It’s deceptively easy. Has made all the difference in the world to me in those moments when I find myself incredibly stressed.
I simply put my hand on my heart.
And I close my eyes.
And I focus on my breath.
And the beat of my heart.
And when I really feel I need it, I tell myself –
it’s OK.
It’s OK.
Everything is going to be OK.
You’re OK.
And sometimes when I need it, I repeat to myself,
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
These simple words of comfort and assurance, my hand in my heart and focused on slowing my breath makes all the difference in the world. And I find after doing this for only a few minutes. That a sense of peace enters my body, mind and spirit. And I’m able to calmly move forward.
And maybe if it’s a stressful day, I need to do this four or five times a day. It doesn’t matter how often or how little I do it, it makes a huge difference.
I hope this is a practice that you’ll incorporate, or if it’s something that you’ve done already, you’ll remember how beautiful it is and powerful it can be.
Take good care.