Silence as self-empathy

I got super angry at the twins last Sunday.

We spent the weekend camping on the Lido in Venice to visit the opening of the Architecture Biennale. We also looked at some Palladio churches, and went to the beach. We ate pizza and gelato and melon from Sicily. And drank Cappucino and Lemon Soda and Aperol Spritz. It was (mostly) a spectacular family weekend.

But the last morning, taking down the tent, I got furious at the boys. They were fighting over these ugly plastic cat-charms that came with their new Croc summer shoes. I mean, what could be more inane?

I exploded. I wish I had taken myself for a solo walk to cool down – like this description of an Inuit tradition below – or somehow had the space to disconnect and do a Savasana.

But I didn’t.

From the great book Walking: One Step at a Time by Erling Kagge

Regrets, both big and small, are an important part of growth. Seeing our bad behavior (with soft eyes) creates the chance to make a different choice next time. Do you know what I mean?

A key ingredient in this process is to have some spacious silence so that we can soften without ruminating. And (hopefully) inject a bit of self-empathy before the guilt takes root.

Today, I’m sharing a 20 minute Silence as Self-Empathy Savasana practice for just that purpose. May it be of service.

Until next week,
Lizzie