Swapping urgency for ‘enough’

So December is upon us. It's certainly hard to ignore what with inboxes bulging to the brim with Black Friday (and now Cyber Monday) deals. 

I don't know about you, but it feels such a bombardment, with constant countdowns to deals ending, opportunities closing, and the urgent messages of buy NOW, NOW, NOW! before it's too late. 

At a time when winter is asking us to let go, to quieten, to soften, to take rest, Marketing Land is shouting loudly to act now, to keep up and to buy more, more, more.

We are being fed messages of urgency and scarcity which all understandably impact how we feel in our nervous system.

Does anyone else feel a little panicked that you are behind, haven't done or got enough? 

The truth is that many of us don't really need more 'stuff'.

We do however need more of a sense of balance, of connection, of contentment. 

Our brains are designed for a world of scarcity rather than a world filled with opportunity. This can lead to us to being drawn to wanting more (after all, scarcity may be around the corner). But in our modern world, we are forever presented with something else, something new and shiny that would make us feel happier. 

How would it feel if just for a moment we swapped urgency for 'enough'? 

In yoga 'santosa' (often translated as 'contentment') is one of the Yamas (qualities that we practice to support inner peace). Rather than forever seeking more, can we also practice noticing and being grateful for what we do have, and recognising when we have enough. 

Practicing contentment may not be easy, but it feels important. 

So this morning, after passing advert after advert and sitting on the train, I closed my eyes and allowed these words to move through me. 
 

(inhaling)  "In this moment, I have enough."
(exhaling) "In this breath, I have enough."
(inhaling) "In this moment, I am enough."
(exhaling) "In this breath, I am enough." 

And for a moment I felt my breath deepen, my body soften, and a calmness descend.

I was reminded that this too is urgent, precious and important.

Feel free to try the same for a few breaths this week.