Exhaustion Means There Is a Better Way

"Your eyes have a red marbled effect. You are down to your last nerve. Your heart beats, but only when it can find the time. Your head is auditioning for a part in high anxiety. The thought of being enthusiastic exhausts you. And you are tired of living. Now is, apparently, a great time to make lots of decisions which will affect the rest of your life!

"A client of mine, recovering from a burnout, once said, 'My problem is that when I have energy I get busy, and when I am tired I make decisions.' Exhaustion is not the best time to sort your life out. When exhausted, you are not in your right mind. You make bad choices. For instance, you probably drink espresso to relax, and you probably think insomnia is a great opportunity to get more work done!

"In my lectures, I have often used the figure below as an aid to describing the psychology of exhaustion:

OPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE

"When exhausted, vision pales, purpose is clouded, worry reigns, thinking is muddled, and there is a downpour of aggression, frustration and pain. Self-attack is high as you conclude, 1) you are powerless; and 2) there is no opportunity for change. Vision can, however, transform miraculously with enough rest, healing and help, so that what once looked like a dead-end now becomes a way out, i.e., opportunity is nowhere becomes opportunity is now here.

"Exhaustion is an opportunity. It is a sign to reconnect to your heart, to end sacrifice, to drop the ego and to let God in. It is a prompt to heal, be nourished, receive and be open to a better way. When exhausted, you have come to the end of a road, and now it is time to go another way. Exhaustion is about new beginnings.

"So why are you exhausted? Here are some hints and exercises that will help you reconnect to the vitality and inspiration of your true Unconditioned Self.

"Healing unhealthy self-sufficiency. When you try to 'do' life on your own, it creates burnout. So, either you can keep pumping yourself full of extra Vitamin C and iron tablets, or you can stop talking yourself out of asking for and receiving help. Connect!

"Healing self-attack. You are constantly running yourself down with criticism, judgment and self-attack. What are you attacking yourself for right now? Self-acceptance switches you on to true power.

"Letting go of grievances. Holding on to old wounds takes up great energy. It distracts you from your true innocence, freedom and power. Forgiving others sets you free. Forgiveness gives you back your energy.

"Give up the 'not now'. There is nothing more tiring than trying to live in three places at once, i.e., past, present and future. Choose one! By giving your best to now you will receive more.

"Hang up old defenses. Your ego has a massive defense budget. It invests all its energy in fear, control, cynicism and other armor. And yet it is when you relax, trust and love that you really radiate.

"End sacrifice. Exhaustion is a sure sign you are in sacrifice. Maybe you are giving energy and time, but you are not really giving yourself, hence there is no real intimacy, synergy, exchange or receiving.

"Ditch over-seriousness. You were not created to be serious; you were created to shine. When you try too hard, you block flow and you inhibit true creativity. Ask yourself, 'What could I lighten up about now?'

"Be real. Integrity is energy. It connects you to intention, vision and purpose. Resisting your own guidance is exhausting. Keeping up appearances will wear you down. Be true to what is highest in you.

"Practice gratitude. Gratitude is a miracle. It raises the dead, heals vision and turns fatigue into energy. Gratitude will jumpstart your batteries. You cannot be fully grateful and tired at the same time."