Big Sky Thinking

After I suffered a severe concussion 12 years ago when I fainted and smashed my head off the concrete floor, I was told the only form of treatment was to go home and lie in the dark until at least some of the brain pain subsided.

I lay in my darkened bedroom for 11 days. There was no stimulation of any kind allowed - no music, podcasts, cell phones, TV, even conversations with my husband. And, my baby girls had to be sent to my parents’ house. I didn’t see the sky, or anything outside of my room, other than the ensuite bathroom for 11 full days.

One of the first things I remember when coming out of the darkened room is the details of everything. The bright blue sky. The vibrant green of the trees. The way the wind felt as it caressed my skin in the sunlight

These are experiences that many of us take for granted. I know I did. I was so busy being in my head. But after emerging from the darkness, every little moment seemed so profound to me. I felt completely mindful.

As the years went by, despite still having a brain injury, some of these colours started to fade as the busyness of life overtook my mind again. In some ways, I wished this state of pure consciousness could stay forever, but I have learned that life is a balance. And, I have found ways since the brain injury to be much more mindful than I ever was before.

How do I continue to bring mindfulness and gratitude into my life in the midst of the busyness?

I carve out moments to look around. To notice. To get out of my head and ‘be’ versus ‘do.’

I focus on my breath from time to time.

I say daily gratitude prayers

I journal.

I put down my cell phone so I don’t feel like I am always in responsive mode, anxious for my next technology dopamine hit that propels me to jump into action. (This one I could still practice even more. But, when I take longer breaks from technology, there is a correlation with my feeling of groundedness and less stress).

And, I practice being in the moment. Our brains are wired to jump. And sometimes we need to jump. But, I am living proof that we can re-wire our brains to slow down (you don’t need a brain injury for this!), and we can be even more productive.

My eldest daughter’s tutor, Dave is a retired school principal. has often said to her that she needs to, “slow down to speed up.” At first, I think my daughter had no idea what he was talking about. But, as he explained when we slow down and pay attention to what we are doing and to those around us, it can help us get further ahead in our work. Dave is a very smart man.

In this photo, as I stand in the sun and look up at the sky (albeit with my sunglasses on as my eyes are still sensitive to light since the brain injury), I am filled with gratitude. For life. For loved ones. For healing that continues. For this moment. This breath.

In life, there will always be ups and downs. But when we can back up our perspectives and get out of our heads, we can see things in a different way. A way that is more filled with appreciation for the moment.

What is the bigger picture in your life? How are you allowing yourself to get pulled down into the weeds? What is one step you can take to push yourself into a greater perspective?

My advice: Go outside, and look at the sky. It may sound so simple. But research has shown when we immerse ourselves in the vastness of our surroundings, it also helps open up our thinking to see new possibilities.

Try it and see!

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