Tuning In vs. Tuning Out...or Tapping In vs. Tapping Out

 I was unsure of the title for today's post - was it tuning in or tapping in that I wanted to explore?  Perhaps both are worth exploring.  I feel like they are actually connected in a way - I have found that the more I tune out and disengage from the present moment the easier it becomes to tap out when facing a challenge.  What frightens me about this is realizing just how often this has been taking place in my life and how easily it has been occurring.  

The tuning-out part of the equation is nothing new to any of us by now.   The way we can so easily slip into that place of replacing engaging in the world with engaging in numbing activities or thoughts that take us away from the present moment.  Despite my best intentions to do the very opposite, I cannot tell you the number of times that I have taken a wrong turn on a walk or a run because I have been too engrossed in the mindfulness podcast I have been listening to.  Irony at its finest.  What I have noticed is that the more tuned out I am to the world the more tuned out I am to myself.  I lose track of who I am and what I am here to do.  Instead, my old stories and patterns step in and start to guide the way, leading me to repeat tired behaviours which only lead me to repeat past negative outcomes that I would rather not revisit.  

This is where the tapping out starts to creep in.  The farther away I find myself from my truth, the easier it is for me to say no to new opportunities.  Doubt and fear take the reigns and instead of facing a new challenge or opportunity with nervous excitement, I find myself questioning the exercise of becoming uncomfortable.  It is much easier to stay comfortable when you are tuned out and disengaged from yourself and your life.

So....now what?  It is great to have exposed this connection, what exactly can we do about it?

For one, learn to tune in.  Find ways to engage more purposefully in your day.  This doesn't need to be an hour-long yoga and meditation session upon rising every day (unless that is your jam) or require expensive trips to special healers and gurus.  In fact, I believe that we are all our own best gurus.  Meaning that deep down, if we stop and reflect for a moment, we often know exactly what it is that we need at any given moment.  Maybe it is a more mindful shower where you pause between lathering up and rinsing to notice the water hitting your skin and imagine it sluicing away old, stale energy.  Maybe it is taking an extra moment or two with your morning coffee, tea, or beverage of choice to notice its smell, taste, and feel in your mouth.  Maybe you would prefer to add something to the end of your day as part of an evening wind-down practice.  I have started to incorporate gentle stretching and reflection as a pre-bedtime ritual to help my mind slow down and move into sleep mode.  Nothing fancy or overly scripted here, just time to let my body and mind tell me what they need and then listening and following this wisdom.  

I have noticed that this intention to tune in has brought with it an ability to tap in to curiosity, wonder, and courage.  I am more open to trying something that might have made me nervous before, and to allowing myself to feel and celebrate these feelings.  Knowing that growth often comes when we allow ourselves to push on our edges and see if we can't stretch those boundaries, even just a little bit.

In no way have I perfected this, as this is not something that can be perfected.  Moving towards a place of presence is daily work that I am happy to take on and to bring awareness to, as the more connected we are to ourselves, the more connected we can be with each other as well.