A rhythm is a pattern that repeats itself at regular intervals. Rhythms in life are like the ebbs and flows of the ocean, constantly changing yet always coming back around as part of a cycle. While the idea of rhythms can be metaphorical, it can also be very practical. Just by noticing what you need at certain times of the day, you can start to build your awareness of your own rhythms.
Consider the rhythm of the day, moving from day to night. Ask yourself, “What do I need in the morning?” For some, you may need a quiet moment in stillness, while others might need more energy and movement. For one person, the rising of the sun may signal a new beginning, while for another, the night sky brings calmness and reflection. Just by paying attention to the difference between day and night, and what you need at each time of day, you can build reminders into your daily life to take care of yourself.
Ask yourself often:
“What do I need in the morning?”
“What do I need in the middle of the day?”
“What do I need as the sun fades from the sky?”
Even if you are unsure of the answers to these questions, taking a moment to reflect and check in with yourself is a start. The difference between these questions and asking “What do I need?” is that it takes the pressure off finding one concrete answer for every moment, right away. This can take time, and expanding the question allows you to create space for that, especially considering that your needs and rhythms may change from day to day, and throughout the day. By simply acknowledging and being aware of these shifts, you can make small changes that have an impact. You can start to become more aware of how you respond to the ebb and flow of your daily life and, in turn, make adjustments wherever needed, as you face each day.
Allow yourself to pay attention to the most simple daily rhythms, such as the rising and setting of the sun, and let those become reminders of how you can make small changes. In doing this, you can pave the way for others to do the same. – Morgan Harper Nichols
