Issue 2: A Gentle Reminder to "And" Instead of "But" .
If you are used to using "but" in conversation with self and others, I’m delighted to introduce you to the possibility and power of "and" instead.
Have you ever given the ampersand much thought?
As a college student I never understood the character above the number 7. I was enrolled in an “Executive Secretarial” degree program and spent countless hours banging on a typewriter. (Yes, that was a thing back in the day.) Typing class did not make use of the & often, but it leaped at me every time I stole a look at the keyboard. (Which you are not supposed to do.) The ampersand is located at the top and directly in the center. It commanded attention. I also just loved the look of it.
Knowing what I know now, it deserves attention AND a little exploration.
Let me explain.
The visual & means “and, per se and” hence we call it an ampersand. To me it sounds a little sexy… “and, per se and”. Well I guess if you say it out loud with a little French accent. Did you try it? Anyway, I believe there is intrigue behind &, the graphic representation of the Latin word “et”, which translates to “and”.
AND, this is where the power is!
We often see & in names formed from the partnership of two or more nouns that go together.
R&B = rhythm AND blues
B&B = bed AND breakfast
PB&J = peanut butter AND jelly
There is also extraordinary beauty in being able to combine two things that don’t seem to go together. For example, connecting the version of our self that feels vulnerable, in pain, or scared to the parts that are strong and wise. When we can think of ourselves as a partnership of emotions that go together, we invite a bit of hope and optimism into the moment.
During my training at the Wholebeing Institute I learned by introducing the AND in difficult situations we build resilience bit by bit. We give ourselves permission to be human. Ahhhh, just sit with that for a moment. Imagine what it would feel like to give yourself permission to be human during moments of struggle, pain, suffering AND know that you are, at the very same moment, strong, brilliant and powerful in so many different ways.
Here is a simple exercise that can help you build resilience.
Think of a negative thought that you often let swim in the pool of your consciousness.
Introduce the &.
Add a positive affirmation.
Examples:
I feel anxious about an upcoming test & I know in this hot second, I am okay. My feet are firmly planted on the earth, my lungs inflate, my fingers move.
I am overwhelmed with health challenges & I know I have support and love to help me through.
Neuroplasticity is the capacity of our brain to be shaped by neural/mental activity. It is the ability to learn from our experiences. Dr. Rick Hanson is an expert in this modern brain science. He points out that our life is full of little opportunities to grow the good inside of ourselves. We have the power to shift our brains neural patterns by introducing new experiences. This is so important as we move through life ups and downs. Mindfully shifting our brain patterns from fear, pain and suffering to experience moments of health, peace and empowerment will bit by bit build our resilience. Each positive experience is an opportunity for us to counterbalance a negative experience that may be keeping us stuck in old pattern.
Give the practice a try and let me know what you are trying to shift and if I could be of benefit to you in the transition.
"The sooner we can give ourselves the permission to be human, the sooner we can rise to our magnificence.” Dr. Maria Sirois