Energy: a pie? a jar? a balance? Resilience and energy.
How are you feeling, energy-wise?
We all have energy and each of us has a unique level of energy that is our own. I call it “the energy pie”. Everyone’s pie is a bit different. Some things take energy from our pie and some things add to it.
I’ve also heard it compared to a sun-tea dispenser with a spout.
What goes in the jar gives us energy. What goes out takes energy away. Some things take a whole lot of energy out of us, and other things give us a whole lot of energy. For instance, I was with a client last week and he said meeting with friends, although to get there takes some energy after a long day of work, the very act of hanging out with friends really energizes him, and is well worth the little energy it takes to get there after work.
So, you can make a list of what takes and what gives you energy in two columns and then weight them (1 being low and 10 being high). After this, you can try and do more of the high-giving energy activities and avoid the high-taking energy activities, if at all possible.
There are a few things to add to this: first energy levels are always flowing and changing, it’s more like a sourdough starter, in the end, than a sun tea jar. Second, it’s rather seasonal and changeable what gives and takes energy from you. Finally, there is a yin-yang feeling about energy.
Sourdough starter is alive and needs new “food” every week or so, so about half the dough is used up and then more flour and milk is added for freshness and continued life. How is this like energy? We need to use up our energy and add “fresh” energy to the mix. WE can’t just hoard our energy. It needs using.
What gives and takes energy is going to change as you get older and have more experience. When I was younger different things took more energy and gave more energy than they do now. I am not so concerned about speaking in public, for example, and even get energized writing and giving talks these days. However, a cold rainy week - or month - can get me down mush faster than it used to a few years ago.
The fact that energy is alive and flowing means there is a relationship between the give and take that can be very healthy, if it is balanced like yin-yang. So, do not hoard (this, in itself causes loss of energy) and allow for the flow.
When you have figured out your immediate energy level needs and what gives and takes energy from you, you will be more able to be resilient and you will find a needed balance in your life. This is the first step to resilience for many people.
Have a great and energy-giving week!
Patricia Jehle
