What Are You Aware Of?

It seems like every week and month we’re exposed to (or bombarded with?) new Awareness Campaigns. The internet has connected, and educated, us with ever-increasing speed and depth. Because of awareness campaigns we know more about brain injury, the need for clean water (both domestically and throughout the world, the importance of net neutrality, and how to support people with cancer. We can take action and be a part of the causes we care about.

This awareness can also be overwhelming. It can be tough to choose which causes to support, and in that deluge of need, we may choose to support nothing. Or we burn ourselves out supporting everything. Neither of those outcomes is desirable.

So how do we balance self-preservation with the desire to be good and helpful in our communities and beyond? I suggest a two level consideration of awareness, considering your world first, so you can be more useful to the rest of the world second.

Be aware of YOUR world

Where do you hold tension or feel pain in your body?
If you always have a dull headache, or your knee hurts, or you don’t sleep well, that’s a problem. You cannot be your best at work, with your family and friends, or in your community. Take a moment to assess how you feel, maybe keep some notes in your calendar for a few days, and see if any nagging issues are slowing you down.

Be aware of ways to improve how you feel
Stay attuned to opportunities for enhancing your well-being. When you pinpoint an issue, consider practical solutions and reach out to those who can assist you. Remember, wellness need not be a costly or time-consuming endeavor. Perhaps dedicating a few minutes to guided meditation before bed could improve your sleep quality, or incorporating some gentle stretching into your routine might alleviate tension. Additionally, exploring options like deep breathing exercises, taking a warm bath, or enjoying a calming cup of herbal tea can offer relaxation and relief. By prioritizing your own health and happiness, you become better equipped to contribute meaningfully to larger causes.

Choose your cause in the bigger world

What cause moves you? For some, being a Den Mother or Little League coach is important. For others, giving to a more global cause is key. There is no right or wrong, it’s just a personal decision.

Let your creative side be at work here … Your priority may be to help a niece afford college or regularly help your best friend, the kindergarten teacher, prep for wacky arts and crafts with her 30 students.

Or maybe you feel your best contribution comes from being great at your job and having time just for your friends and family. Causes needn’t be big organizations or structured to make a difference.

Make your actions match your priorities

If you decide that giving to a global clean water initiative or coaching a team is the most important cause to you, your actions should reflect that. This step involves a mental audit of your time and money. Maybe a cheaper gym membership will leave you with enough money to cover your niece’s books, or ‘catching up’ on fewer tv shows each weekend will clear the schedule for time with friends.

Full, happy lives come from conscious decisions about where we focus our time and efforts. It’s easy to get swept into the overwhelm and find yourself spread too thin, feeling like nothing you do makes an impact. A few minutes of awareness could make big improvements in your everyday life and happiness.