Shifts and Upgrades

I love the terminology of 'shifts' and 'upgrades' - common terms in the spiritual realm. I enjoy thinking of 'upgrading' your body and mind, and why not? If you come to a large realization, have started eating healthier, have focused on yourself, are you not improving, or 'upgrading'?

Think of this in the example of someone's house. This person has worked hard to build a new addition, or add in better foundation and supports. You walk in and think, wow, nice upgrades.

Now, the house is you.

'Shifts' is another fun one. I think a lot about how I shift - like the earth, or water - moving with the course of life and understanding. This term is especially fun when related to neuroscience. In the world of brain games and mixed methods, your ability to "shift-and-persist" is one of the greatest determinants of longevity. That basically means, when obstacles come your way, can you find ways to work around, or with, this trouble in your path? How can you shift your perspective, routine, or trajectory to persist through whatever crazy (or even not-so-crazy) things have been thrown at you?

Interesting, huh?

It makes sense if you think about it.

I remember learning about this in my cognitive development class, and I was fascinated by the phrase. It has become a mantra over the years. In difficult moments, breathe, shift, and persist. Perhaps not so surprisingly, this is also one of the bases of Cognitive and Dialectical Behavior Therapy used for treating depression, reactivity, bipolar, borderline, etc. We'll dive more into that later though ;)

This is one of the reasons I so love the spiritual term, 'shifts.' In these cases often used more like, I feel myself shifting, or do you feel the energetic shifts? And yes! You should be shifting and upgrading. You should feel comfortable in those terms without feeling they are so 'whoo-hoo' - for their denotations are just as relevant as their connotations!

Feels good, no?