Reflections on the year 2021 –

The year 2021 is coming to an end and during this period we reflect on a number of things, such as the importance of resilience for adapting and accepting the new reality in the face of the greatest health crisis of the century, in addition to the change of mindset. But changing the way of thinking and acting requires care and is only possible from the moment we decide to embrace the challenges that appear in our path, at the same time that we take risks and learn from our mistakes. Quite a challenge, and one that makes us realize that it is necessary, first of all, to be open to the small transformations in our daily lives, many of which are so necessary for the reflection and the exercise of awareness.

There is no doubt that the coming years will bring many transformations for humanity, which is already seeking to connect with a level of consciousness like never before. The future will require recreating solutions and reinventing ways to do what is best for the majority of people, always based on dialogue and in conditions that prioritize humanitarian aspects and equality. But it is from small acts and details that we will be able to broaden our sensitivity to what is prominent in our days and achieve the long-awaited happiness.

In my day-to-day life, I’ve been noticing some transformations that are beginning to impact the way I’ve been leading my lifestyle. Small changes, but giant if we think that they can have an effect on my well-being in the long run. The strengthening of body and soul, the care required for the environment where I live, are capable of positively influencing not only my existence, but also reflecting on the people with whom I live directly. Therefore, food, the use of essential oils and balanced digital consumption began to demand care on my part. And I can say that the result has been very gratifying.

FOOD

My relationship with food became healthier. From the concept of Food Sovereignty, defined in 2001 during the World Forum on Food Sovereignty held in Cuba, and which places access to healthy food as a right for everyone, on a regular and sustainable basis, and which values ​​local production and the community market, I began to understand the importance of growing our own food. I started to opt for natural and whole foods, preferably organic and not processed.

This awareness made me see how much we are dependent on a food industry that does not always offer nutritious food. I began to realize the harmful effects that processed and ultra-processed foods can have on the body since most of the preservatives, dyes and artificial flavors used by the food industry can result in serious side effects, especially in children, according to numerous published studies.

What we eat directly affects our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. So, whenever possible, it is best to opt for organic food, and preferably bought in the local community. An alternative is also to plant part of the food we consume. If you have space in your home, you could start by planting herbs and spices. Here at home I started growing a small garden of edible herbs. This activity has already made a difference in my daily life.

ESSENCIAL OILS

To increase well-being I started using the essencial oils. Today, I can say that they have become allies for a series of everyday situations, including replacing the room diffuser, which I used to use especially in my children’s room at bedtime. This small change, to a more natural product, such as essential oil, happened from the moment I noticed a greater harmony with my body. Today, I feel the effect of everything I put on my skin, inspire or feed on. This increase in sensitivity is natural during the process of ascension, of raising consciousness. Therefore, in addition to using essential oils to meditate and sleep, I also use them to clean the house and in first aid, for cuts or headaches, for example.

For cleaning, the most recommended oils are tea tree and lemongrass, which I also use on the wool balls in the dryer. As for first aid, the most suitable are antibacterials based on melaleuca, lavender and copaiba. Peppermint can be used on the temples to relieve headaches. I always use it on my kids when they get sick. And for meditation, to help with relaxation and connection with the divine, I really like frankincense.

LESS TIME ON THE CELL PHONE

But none of this would make sense without the reduction in the number of hours in digital media and care in the consumption of information. We know that staying in front of the computer screen for a long time and using the cell phone constantly can be harmful to health. But not just physical health. Due to all the delicate situations we are experiencing these days, the flood of information is capable of draining our mind.

I remember well when Luigi, my little dog Lagotto Romagnolo, arrived in our lives. Whenever I took him for a walk, I put something on his phone to listen to – podcast, interviews, music. Some time later, I realized that I wasn’t paying enough attention to Luigi during our walks and decided that I wouldn’t listen to anything else in those moments. Today, in addition to being more connected to the puppy, the walk has become a moment of rest for my mind. I decided to extend this habit and I no longer sleep with the phone by my side. Now I wake up with an old-fashioned alarm and try to check my phone after my sadhana (yoga practice). Just the fact of reducing the use of the device in these two opportunities already made me feel the benefits.

There is no denying the presence of technology in our days. But, as I already mentioned, I feel much better after reducing my cell phone use. The impact of this on my mind is evident. This goes for all of us, especially those with young children, as technology is changing every day. And now with Meta – Facebook’s virtual reality platform – it will be important to reinforce for the little ones that this world we live in is where we should focus. The Meta will have impacts that we are still unaware of, but just like social media, we need to strengthen the link between the little ones and the real world, as it will be difficult for them to differentiate between the two worlds (virtual and real).

MY FINAL TIP

So, here’s my tip: choose some small activities from your day-to-day and try to do them without your phone. You will notice that after about 15-20 minutes (in my case) the mind starts to become calmer and more focused on the present moment. At the end of the year, take stock of everything you’ve learned. Watch how you’ve grown and remember that for every challenge you’ve gone through, there’s a lesson. I hope these lessons inspire you! If you have any questions, just comment!