And What Now?
Ros Capper has written And What Now? for those who are rebuilding after a major life change. Following is an extract from her book for other people facing life-altering challenges!
I think it is easy to imagine, without realizing it, that somewhere outside of us ‘there is a plan’, if only we can find it! Instead of hunting for a plan outside of ourselves, like a treasure hunt, creative enquiry encourages us to be aware of what is happening within ourselves as well as in our world: to notice, write down, and nourish. When you are ready, take action by playing with your own experiences of:
- Hunches
- Intuitive feelings
- What we most enjoy
- Quiet times in nature
- The future we sense we prefer
- Listening to favourite music
- Where we choose to focus
- Nurturing leisure times
- Laughing at things we find funny
- Displaying mementos we feel good looking at
- Experimenting with colour
- Appreciating small things
- Celebrating the achievements of others
- Contributing to our community
- Initiating times with people we enjoy
- Noticing and noting down our strengths
- Writing down what we are telling ourselves (our stories)
- Finding a key thread running through everything, to be emphasized
What if you are pausing or coming to a complete stop at the thought of stepping into your preferred future or dream? What if the map you imagine says: here be dragons? I experienced pausing, setting momentum aside, and anxiety (“publish a book, oh no!”). I find the following to be useful steps into unknown, unmapped territory:
- Asking for help
- Mapping the territory (‘mind map’)
- Taking a break altogether from the momentum of the journey
- Moving daily (beach walks, kayaks)
- Sharing with interested and supportive others
- Listening carefully to feedback and advice (soup group!)
- Staying focused on my emerging preferred future
- Accepting help with gratitude
- Ensuring treat times
Purchase your own copy of Ros Capper’s books What Now? and her latest book, An Accidental Carer.
© Family Care NZ
