When things heat up, I have learned to slow down.
Less effort.
Less exertion.
Less exhaustion.
More of me.
I don’t last long going quickly in the heat.
Mistakes get made.
I end up wet and uncomfortable.
Instead?
I slow down.
The heat can be from an external source - in this case the sun.
Or the heat can come from friction.
Either way, slowing down prevents damage.
In relationships,
Can you apply the same principle?
One Derful Thing
Take some cold water from a tap.
Set it to boil
Once boiling, take it off and let it cool again.
Time the whole process.
How long did it take to get hot?
How long did it take to cool down?
Could the water in the pot ever be as cool as it was when it started?
What would have to happen?
COVID -19 turned up the heat. I saw the overwhelm in my work life and home life. I created the COVID Free Pass and shared it with my family. The purpose was to cool things down and make some space at a time when my family and I were dealing with boredom and/or overwhelm. Every one of us was at a boiling point...some a gentle boil, others a rolling boil. And who was at what temperature could change on a dime.
No one would be judged for being a wet blanket, a-hole moves, or whatever their self care looked like. We agreed to not make any life changing decisions until this was over and the use of the COVID Free Pass was born.
"Man, that was rude!"
"Free Pass."
"Grumble"
Soon, I didn't have to say "Free Pass". It was a thing and we talked kinder about each other after someone made an a-hole move.
"That was rude. I'll take up a snack in a few minutes." Kindness prevailed.
Just keep swimming and we will get to the other side, ie when the heat is turned down.
I am curious to see if kindness prevails Post-COVID.
My first experience that I remember in real inescapable heat was during a visit to New York... keep the air moving! :-D Since then I've become much more tolerant to heat...