Mark Silver, one of my business teachers, is also a Sufi. As part of my yearlong program with him, he taught a practice that helped us find the “perfect thirst”. The perfect thirst is how we get enough emotional, mental and spiritual nourishment to flourish as an entrepreneur.
The “perfect thirst” is just thirsty enough that we keep drinking from the well that gives us peace of mind, inspiration and vitality.
What’s the connection to burnout and a perfect flame?
It dawned on me while reading about burnout and compassion fatigue this week that, as healers, we need to keep our perfect flame lit.
Not let our passion for our work sputter out because we don’t have enough fuel to light even a candle or pour gasoline on our day to day frustrations and irritations causing raging flames.
Just the right proportion of fuel and oxygen for the perfect flame. But how do you find your perfect flame?
I guess this is like the story of Goldilocks, trying out the chairs, the beds and the porridge. Sometimes it is a matter of trial and error. And a keen sense of observation.
With so many in health care suffering from burnout and compassion fatigue (estimates of 35-45 % of nurses and physicians) how do you keep your perfect flame lit?
Lighting the Perfect Flame
There isn’t a day that goes by that something doesn’t irk me. Just this week there were lots of technical glitches with the Room to Breathe registration process.
Yet, what came to me instead of focusing on the irritation (or freaking out), I focused on the flame I wanted to keep lit. I realized that “flame” also has the connotation of a sweetheart. When I think of my work like this, it’s tender, open, curious, playful, honest and warm.
What’s the fuel and oxygen in everyday life?
The fuel that can calm things down or inflame a moment, are the attitudes our thoughts take in any given situation.
The oxygen is our breath; the way we breathe into the moment so we don’t blow the flame out or fan it.
Those frustrating moments, (AKA the porridge too cold, the bed too hard) will always be there. Instead of reacting to the angst in the moment, though, see this as part of your trial to find the perfect amount of thought to give to that irritation.
Then, breathe in and maintain your perfect flame.
Room to Breathe: Rewiring for Ease
Enrollment Open through March 31, 2017
7 Lesson Online Mindfulness Course for Health Professionals, Eligible for 16 CNE’s
Research on compassion fatigue and burnout is turning toward practices like mindfulness and finding it increase resilience, self-compassion and inner strength.
Room to Breathe is right for you if you are looking for ways to relieve everyday stress and overwhelm at work and at home. Whether you are new to mindfulness meditation or want to renew your past practice, this course will give you the foundation you can use the rest of your life. And you’ll find learning in community of nurses and other health professionals, provides great support and inspiration.