If this feels like a battle, these are the rules – Rules 13 & 14

23.12.2023

Author: Shiri Ben-Arzi, PMC, MCC

This is the 7th blog post in the series of blog posts called –

If this feels like a battle, these are the rules –  20 Rules for times of crisis”.

(Special thanks and appreciation to Sasha Khazanov and Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott for their inspiration).

 

In this post, I’ll address rules 13 and 14.

(to read the previous post about rules 1-12, click HERE )

 

Rule #13 – 

Becoming resourceful in times of a massive crisis is easier said than done.

Yet, as impossible as it may feel, it must be done.

The best way is to ensure the resources you need are available (within your reach or can easily be brought to you) and simple to use.

Always start with these basic needs:

• Food – healthy and balanced.
• Water – make sure you remain hydrated.
• Rest (start with resting your body and move to your heart, mind, and soul).
• Human connection – through physical touch and a sense of belonging.
• Grounding – preferably through the body and nature.
• Movement – move your body as much as possible without stressing, straining, or hurting it.
• Emotional expression. See rules #4 and #8.

 

 

Rule #14 –

Two energetic forces will be at play as you move from the trauma and crisis to a more balanced, resilient, and resourceful state:

1. A repelling force that pushes you away from the trauma and the crisis.
2. A pulling force that pulls you towards balance, resilience, and resourcefulness.

Here is what you need to know about these two forces:

1. They are neither good nor bad. They are energetic forces that need to serve your healing and growth.
2. They have nothing to do with an optimistic or pessimistic point of view.
3. They have nothing to do with reactive or proactive responses.
4. The force at play at any given moment is the one that will draw your attention and focus.
5. Your energy (life energy/chi) will always follow your attention and focus.

Right after a traumatic crisis, the energy tends to focus on the repelling force as it is the time for emergency survival action plans. At some point, it will need to start shifting and integrating the pulling force so you can start holding more perspectives and complexity.

The ability to hold both is how we create a solid infrastructure that will safely hold healing and growth.

 

In the next blog post, I will address rules 15 and 16.