“That which you feel yourself to be you are, and you are given that which you are. So assume the feeling that would be yours where you are already in possession of your wish, and your wish will be realized in time. Live in the feeling (full energy) of being the one you want to be and that you shall be.”
Neville Goddard (adapted)
Where do you get all your energy?
If I had a dime for every time I have been asked this question, I would be more cash-rich than I could imagine! Where does anyone get their energy? That is what I want to ask in return, however, it feels rude like I am angry they have asked me.
I believe when people ask, it is with longing and some envy that they do not feel as energetic as they perceive me to be. I believe it is asked in a complementary way, so I simply smile and guffaw because I am unsure of what to say. Often, I offer to share some of my energy by opening my arms inviting a hug. That gives me the opportunity to share, which of course has been dampened over the past year or so.
My grandson called out loudly to me, “Come look, Gramma!” I went into the room and there was Thomas the Tank Engine turning circles on the living room floor, tooting his horn and flashing his lights. Every time he would hit something he would change direction. Joy spread across the four-year-old’s face, while his one-year-old brother stood watching in amazement. This went on for, what seemed like, an eternity. Finally, my daughter in a gentle voice of reached down picked up Thomas flipped him over, and with the flick of a switch, everything stopped. Thomas was quiet. No more lights, no more whistles or toots as he was put back on the shelf.
As my daughter went to put Thomas away, both boys cried out wanting more. Mom acquiesced, flipped the switch again, set it down and Thomas was back happily entertaining them. She then noted that the batteries were almost dead, and the toy would cease to make noise. Sure as shootin’, within a short time Thomas slowed and came to a halt. The boys seemed satisfied when told Thomas was tired and that his batteries were dead. We then went on with our visit in the absence of lights, whistles, and toots.
A few minutes later, the four-year-old, came out with a flashlight and asked his mom why it was not working. She explained the batteries were dead and went to the drawer to replace them. He then happily went in search of dust bunnies, lost socks, and wayward toys under his bed. Much can be explored when one has light!
These two items are too important to the children and both require batteries to come to life. They must have an energy source to make them work. Without full charge, they are nothing but a push toy and a stick. The magic is in the energy source. AAs, AAAs, Cs, and Ds are all sources we know well. What does your battery look like? Are you needing AA, AAA, C, or D? Where is your on/off switch? When you recharge what does that look like?
We toss around the terms “introvert” and “extrovert” to describe people. Labels of a sort. People self-identify as one or the other without truly understanding their own feeling of these labels or what they mean for your battery life. We use them like they are cast in iron never to be changed or better understood. To be introverted is to be self-reflective and take time to process ideas, thoughts, and conversations. Extroverted is to be talkative, social, and assertive. Both can be descriptions of someone, however, can mean so much more.
An introvert may not show their introversion because they are social and comfortable in a crowd, where an extroverted person may be shy at first and then as time goes by comes out of their shell.
I am an introvert who likes to be a leader and is comfortable taking charge. Yet when my batteries need recharging, I want quiet time and a place to plug into my source and rest. An extrovert may plugin using conversation or activity. An extrovert may seek out sisters over coffee, or golf buddies over a game and a beer to recharge.
“How do I charge my own batteries?” is the question we can all ask ourselves.
Also, when do you recharge? Before or after a disaster?
As I was pondering this writing, I realized there are different types of batteries we require:
AA – Attention and Affection
AAA – Attention, Affection, and Acceptance
C – Compassion and Empathy
D – Direction and Guidance
Are you watching for the recharge light? Are you paying attention when you plugin that you are plugging into a good source? Do you wear yourself right down and only recharge when, like Thomas, you stop mid-toot? Does your light have to go completely out before you know you need to recharge?
My energy seems to always be in abundance. I cannot say where it comes from and, in truth, I have always had lots, sometimes good and sometimes not so good, and willing to give it away. The more I give away the more I seem to have!
When I feel depleted, not drained or empty, I take myself home, to quiet time with a cup of tea, a favourite show, a good book, inspiring text, or a podcast. I listen to my soul when it says, “I am tired and need to recharge my batteries.”
Each day I measure and look at the gauge. Decide which batteries you need each day and invite recharge into your life.
Cynthia Breadner is a grief specialist and bereavement counsellor, a soul care worker and offers specialized care in Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy with special attention as a cognitive behavioral therapy practitioner and trauma incident resolution facilitator. She volunteers at hospice, works as a LTC chaplain and is a death doula, assisting with end-of-life care for client and family. She is the mother part of the #DanCynAdventures duo and practices fitness, health and wellness. She is available remotely by safe and secure video connections, if you have any questions contact her today! [email protected] breakingstibah.com
