How to Handle the Unexpected [WRITING YOGA® PROMPT #2021]
Oct 04, 2023Last week we wore winter boots. Today, I jumped in my 10 foot wide pool. Good thing I didn't close it early.
Over the weekend, there was a street fair that had not been held in years due to weather and well, the pandemic. You saw everything from ski jackets to tank tops and no one really got it right. A few people fainted from heat.
Having a summer day in the fall is a gift if you love warm weather and annoying if you don't. We expect seasonal changes but lately the weather has been even more unpredictable. How do you deal with it? I will pull out the flip flops and just pretend fall never happened. I will sit by the beach and enjoy the sunset. Others will keep wearing fleece jackets even if it makes them faint. I wonder, can you avoid unexpected change by pretending it doesn't exist?
Not if you are truly mindful. If it's 80 degrees in October, please leave your winter coat at home.
WRITING YOGA® PROMPT #2021: Write about the Unexpected Reversal of Seasons
Have you ever read the children’s book Rabbit's Snow Dance by James and Joseph Bruchac? In the story, the rabbit uses his magical song and dance to bring snow in the summer. Can you imagine how wild that would be? I’d probably be pretty upset if I woke up to a winter wonderland in the middle of July!
That got me thinking about how unexpected changes in weather can really throw us off. So, why not take a moment to explore that idea? I invite you to write a poem or story about an unexpected change in the seasons or the weather. Think about how it feels when you're caught completely unprepared for something like an unseasonably warm day in the fall or a sudden cold snap in the spring.
How to Handle the Unexpected
Just like weather that catches us off guard (one moment it’s winter boots, and the next, we’re diving into pools) life has a way of surprising us. We might resist change, holding onto old habits like wearing a coat in unseasonably warm weather, or we can choose to adapt, enjoying the warmth with flip-flops in hand.
But pretending change doesn’t exist only leads to more frustration. The key is to meet these unexpected shifts with mindfulness, by acknowledging what’s happening rather than wishing things were different. This is where the Writing Yoga® method offers a path forward. Here's how:
Sit: Ground Yourself in the Present Moment
When unexpected events happen, it’s easy to panic or become emotionally reactive. Sitting encourages you to pause, breathe, and feel what’s happening in your body and mind without rushing to fix anything. This practice allows you to stop the spiral of stress before it takes over.
Imagine you receive a sudden email saying a project deadline has been moved up by two days. Your heart races, and your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios. Instead of diving into frantic work, you find a quiet spot, sit comfortably, and focus on your breath.
You notice the tension in your shoulders and the tightness in your chest. As you breathe deeply, the physical discomfort softens. You realize that while the deadline is challenging, you can handle it step by step, starting with a calm mind.
Write: Release Thoughts and Find Clarity
Writing is a powerful tool for releasing mental clutter. When unexpected situations arise, putting your thoughts on paper helps you sort through emotions, identify what’s within your control, and uncover hidden insights or lessons.
Imagine you’ve just faced an unexpected backlash from parents over a new policy implemented at your school. You feel overwhelmed and unsure how to address their concerns. You grab your journal and start writing, documenting the feedback you received, your initial reactions, and any worries about the impact on your leadership.
As you write, you begin to clarify the specific points raised by parents and recognize a pattern: many concerns stem from a lack of understanding about the policy’s purpose. Writing not only helps you vent your frustrations but also reveals an opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue with the parents, allowing you to explain the rationale behind the policy and foster a collaborative relationship.
Move: Shift Energy Through Physical Action
When emotions and stress build up, moving your body helps release the tension and resets your nervous system. Physical movement brings you back to the present moment and restores a sense of agency, reminding you that you are capable of adapting to change.
Imagine you wake up expecting sunshine for your long-planned picnic, but it’s pouring rain. Frustration bubbles up, because your perfect day is ruined. Rather than sulking, you roll out your yoga mat and move through a few rounds of sun salutations.
As you stretch, you feel the weight of disappointment start to lift. Afterward, you decide to embrace the rain, putting on a raincoat and going for a walk. The fresh air shifts your mood, and soon you’re laughing at how refreshing the rain feels on your face.
Putting It All Together: Flow Through the Unexpected
Handling the unexpected isn’t about controlling what happens, it’s about how you respond. The Sit, Write, and Move method offers a way to engage with challenges from multiple angles:
- Sit to breathe through discomfort and observe your emotions.
- Write to release thoughts and gain new perspectives.
- Move to shift your energy and reset your outlook.
May you thrive in all seasons,
Stef
Are you a teacher or librarian who wants to test out the Writing Yoga® Method?
Remember to sit, write & move each day for a calm, creative & more compassionate life. If you want to learn more about Writing Yoga® Method, feel free to check out my course right here. This interactive course will help you jumpstart healthy and creative practices to: 1) Reduce stress 2) Write and 3) feel luminous.
Book a free consultation to learn more about workplace retreats and professional development.
For more activities and resources, please go to www.WritingYoga.com
Thank you for make the world a calmer, more creative and compassionate place!
Copyright © 2024 Stefanie Maura, All rights reserved.
