Energy can not be created or destroyed; it just changes form – the law of conservation of energy, also known as the first law of thermodynamics.
We have evolved to conserve our energy. Think about our ancestors – food is energy – and when it isn’t as easy to come by, you would be more aware of how you expend your energy. They were deliberate with what they chose to do and not do, as their survival depended on this. If you expended your energy frivolously, you could easily fall prey to a lion.
In most cases, you aren’t trying to get away from a lion – but an energy investment is required if you want/need to create change in your life – have a necessary challenging conversation, start a new job, leave a relationship, start exercising, nourish yourself in new ways, or even parenting in a way different from how you grew up.
However, if you are “leaking” your energy, you have little remaining to create change or intentionally nourish yourself.
How do we leak energy?
- Trying to control life. It’s like using all your energy to hold up a dam against the flow of life. It is fruitless. We have the illusion we can control life to keep safe. This is not to say that we can’t design thoughtful systems in order to prevent accidents. But once created, we trust that we have done our best, reassessing now and again.
- Over-efforting. Often this is done for someone else to gain love or approval. Rarely do we over-effort for ourselves. Curious.
- Rushing. When we get into this state, we make mistakes that need correcting. We don’t consider the big picture to realize what needs our energy and what doesn’t – we scramble to do what comes our way. We are “doing” for the sake of “doing.” This is being reactive rather than proactive.
- Worry. Another MASSIVE and fruitless energy leak. It can become an unconscious habit that negatively impacts our quality of life. I come from a long line of worriers. It was almost ingrained in me to worry, and it sucked. Worry and I had a complicated relationship that required a lot of compassion and diligence to finally part ways. Sometimes worry can be disguised as caring; if you’re not worried, you’re not caring (WRONG!). Worry and I still meet up now and again, but it doesn’t hang around long.
As we make our way towards the winter season, it is time to “gather your nuts” or conserve and build up your store of energy to get you through the season of darkness AND the holidays.
Begin to notice ways in which you expend energy.
- Is it all necessary?
- Are there ways that you can conserve?
- Is it possible to use some of your energy for self-care and restoration?
Energy conservation in the natural world….
All around us, leaves are falling, and where? At the base of a tree, right where they need to be.
This is a brilliant design. Leaves contain many nutrients that the tree has invested over the growing season; as they decompose on the ground, nutrients are released right where they are needed, the roots. However, in suburban areas, this boost of nutrients gets hauled away in the name of a well-kept lawn. (WE CREATE AN ENERGY LEAK in this well-designed system). Leaves not only provide nutrients but serve as mulch, protecting trees from drought. When their leaves are hauled away, the tree is now less resilient to disturbances that might come it’s way… pests, drought, and hazardous weather.
As an outward sign of your commitment to conserving your own energy, if you or your neighbors have a tree losing its leaves, support the tree in its natural energy conservation strategy. Leave them be, or rake them in a big circle around your tree—the bigger the tree, the bigger the ring.
Allow your support of the tree to remind you to conserve your energy. And then use this energy for restoration and creation.
