Ten Hut:

One of my favorite Bob Ross fun-facts (actually, the only Bob Ross fun-fact that I know) is that he used to be a drill sergeant. 

That’s right, before he was a soft spoken painter he did a job synonymous with yelling.

From drill sergeant to calming, nature painter… that’s a process.

In general, Small steps. Great distances. represents the process.

With regard to mental heath, Small steps. Great distances. represents the process of taking care.

Question:

How do we take care?

If you know Resect Your Gift’s messaging you know that we take care with wellness. Wellness is the active pursuit of good health, and wellness is how we build a foundation of strong mental health.

From enhancing lives to saving them…

When I’m relaxed I’ll start massaging my head and tracing an outline around my eyes and ears. It’s soothing.  

I’ll often do it in response to certain sounds: voices, mannerisms, etc.

I always thought it was random, but it’s not. It’s A.S.M.R. and it helps me be well.

A.S.M.R. (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) is a is a physical phenomenon most commonly triggered by auditory and visual stimulus. It’s described as a tingly sensation that usually begins on the scalp. That could explain why my response is to massage my head. Interesting.

Spirit, Mind and Body:

When I refer to “spirit” I’m referring to intangibles. For example, a trait like awareness. When it comes to taking care, having a spirit of awareness allows me to recognize that A.S.M.R. helps me be well. 

Specifically, one thing that triggers A.S.M.R. for me is Bob Ross using a painting knife: My mind slows, my body relaxes and I take longer, deeper breaths through my nose… Plus, in the moment, a spirit of awareness allows me to be mindful that these things are happening, so they benefit me even more.

The types of spirit we use to take care (ex. awareness, an optimistic attitude, a perspective of gratitude) set the tone. They guide our minds and the way we think, and they guide our actions including what we do with our bodies. Maybe the order should be spirit, mind and body.

As this blog mentioned in The Solution, it’s about the protocols, the small steps: the things we do to take care, build a foundation of strong mental health and be well.

That includes a spirit of awareness. The type of awareness that helps us recognize A.S.M.R. as a small step.

You know… Let’s go!