Standing on my head changed my life.

by

 

About fifteen years ago a woman I’d just met “introduced” me to a man whom she adored.

This man’s teachings, she insisted, contained all the wisdom we needed to live a happy, content, fulfilled life.

Im embarrassed to say I never delved too deeply into the brain of the man she admired.

I skimmed a few books and went along my misfit way.

I found him insightful. I thought him wise. But I believed myself too busy to be bothered to take in many of his words.

I look back and realize Ive forgotten most all his teachings & wisdom (sorry friend!) *except* one concept I use on a daily basis.

If we shift/tweak the way we view things in our lives, the things we are viewing change.

(I know. my friend was right huh? Wayne Dyer be a wise, wise man.)

This concept has stuck with me because I love my Zone of Comfy to a fault.

Ive learned over the past decade-plus of striving to live Dyers concept when I feel something is an INSURMOUNTABLE challenge what needs to change is how Im viewing the situation. 99% of the time what needs to change is me exiting or at least STRETCHING my comfort zone.

And, because Im a woman who learns by DOING, this concept has manifested itself in the literal.

When I (feel as I did yesterday and) am confronted by an obstacle opportunity to grow I STOP, BACK UP, & change my perspective.

Or, more bluntly put, when my reaction to a situation is: GREAT CRAPBALLS. IM SCREWED NOW! it usually means I need to exit my comfort zone, change my perspective and stand on my head.

  • Through head-standing Ive learned to find opportunities when I firmly believed there none—-by shifting the perspective I had on a situation.
  • Through head-standing (and hard work) Ive retrained myself to present everything to my brain as MERELY INFORMATION—by shifting how I ‘take in’ information I change my response to situations. For the most part no situation is inherently “bad” or “good” it is merely information for my brain to process.
  • Through head-standing Ive learned to control my physiological responses to ‘information’—as shifting my immediate response completely changes my body’s neurological response. When I immediately responded to situations as catastrophic even when I tried to CHANGE my point of view it was virtually impossible.  My BODY had already processed *catastrophe.*  By choosing to start with the positive my brain immediately operates from this place & scans my memory for other such “positive” challenges.

And yes.

Since Im fortunate enough to work from home this head-standing/perspective shifting can be quite literal.

This is how you’ll find me when Im on the verge of freaking out life is generous enough to throw an opportunity to GROW my way.

headstand, office headstand, yoga headstand

(I have a 6 year old photog.)

 Now I seek yer wisdom.

  • How do you shift perspective when challenges arise? Are you a LITERAL shifter (as I am) or a metaphorical?
  • Whats your BEST TIP FOR ME when a change in attitude/perspective is needed & a headstand isnt appropriate?
  • May we start a headstand challenge? Cuz seriously it’s my oneandONLY “oooh look I can do this!!” party trick…

 

 

 

 

 

 

*all external stimuli in our lives lead to physiological reactions.

 

 

POSTS BY EMAIL

Never miss a post. Enter your email to get my latest posts delivered to your inbox.

Comments

  8. Girl, I bet you can rock some wicked arm balances: they also qualify as sweet party tricks…
    Isn’t it amazing what all that yoga can do? I personally will bust out some breathing techniques while in my office at work. My coworkers aren’t ready for my wheel pose quite yet!

  9. Great post! I’ve become better at changing my perspective as I have gotten older and experienced more life stuff. Love the tats btw!

  10. I stick with prayer on those oh so overwhelming days. Haven’t done a headstand in about 30 years.

    Also, the mother in me is very concerned you did a headstand in a chair….with wheels!!! 😉

  11. I have to go back and read your post again, because everything was erased when I saw you doing a headstand ON A SWIVEL CHAIR – now THAT’S balance!!!

  12. You are just simply awesome! I love how literal this post is yet full of deepness! Only on your blog 🙂 Reason number 1 why I love it! I need to get better at shifting and reframing my thinking because whenever things take a negative spin I often tend to spiral further down instead of pulling myself out of it! Maybe I just need to try a handstand!

  13. My ultimate goal is a handstand so this is really cool! When I need to change perspective what works for me is to stay Stop (out loud if I am alone or in my head if there are other people.) That alone usually gives my brain the pause it needs to start looking at the opportunity from all angles.

  14. standing on my head would prob be the last thing i would ever think to do, but it makes so much sense to get a new/different perspective. you are so insightful.

    • It’s interesting to me I can learn from you, Miz, even when something would not work for me.

      Good post.

  16. a few thoughts on this:

    First: I could NEVER be someone who literally changes perspective by standing on my head, because I’m one of those people who often, when tipped upside down, passes out.

    Second: There seems to be a prevailing public attitude that if there’s a mountain in your path you have to climb over it. Sometimes you can go around it. Sometimes you can climb part way up and go around. You don’t have to climb the peak. Sometimes there’s just no benefit to it. At times, it’s not about finding opportunities by bulling through or making the climb, but in realizing that there are other options that might be better.

    And finally, yes, at times those rewards and opportunities are way up at the top of that mountain, and there’s some climbing to do. Very often we’re so focused on the height of the mountain, we don’t see other ways to get there. We’re in such a fret about how hard the climb is, we don’t even think about riding the burro. I think the key to all this isn’t to always focus on the difficulties, but what each of our unique skills is which can get us to that goal, whether it’s head standing or burro riding.


  17. Ok.
    I WILL EDIT WHEN HOME 🙂

    till then this is your DO NOT HEADSTAND ON A CHAIR AT HOME warning and diZClaimer.

    and yes.

    In response to your emails as best *I* can I will do a misfit step by step approach to learning to stand on head.

    On the floor 🙂

    Don’t be me. But really. Never be me. Be YOU and what works for YOU.

  18. Hey, you said NO challenges! 😉 Although I would love to be able to do that headstand! Not gonna try right now – hubby asleep & I will wake him.

    I love this post & all in it! At times I have tried this tweaking & it has worked & not always worked. At times, I spiral downward… much more in my younger days than now so that shows I am better… but I am still trying to find ways to do this more – I get overwhelmed sometimes so I need to really work on this!

    Great post Carla!

  19. Well, i try to change it by taking a walk sometimes, when i remember. Mostly, though, i greet a “freak out about to happen” by praying for people i know are in very difficult situations.

  20. If I were to try head-standing at the office, well I’d have allot of explaining to do. Certainly I could explain it away as a technique for gaining the proper perspective on the current opportunity at hand. Hmm, is the notion of doing a head0stand itself an opportunity?

  21. Love this and totally agree! Until I learned a handstand (and headstand) I doubted myself and never knew how far I could push myspef. It taught me to stop being so fearful and I learned that my body is capable of so much more than what my my limits to do. I JUST posted about my goal of reaching an unassisted handstand and saw this and thought perfect! Also, I’m sure I can reach you a few new party tricks 😉

  22. When I do a headstand I have to balance my knees on my elbows before putting my feet up, I’m kind of in aw you can just go.
    Another timely post for me. Trying to change my perspective on some things. 🙂

  23. I say “how would the fit kids look at this situation”. Then I dance out because the oldest needs no excuse to dance out.

    I’m game for a headstand challenge. I can’t do them but a little extra blood flow to the bean never hurts 🙂

  26. Crap. No wisdom from me today.
    I’m really struggling with ‘overwhelmedness’ lately. Everything feels like work. Obviously I need to change my perspective, but I haven’t figured out how (for me) yet….
    Getting on it!

  27. Perfect timing for this as I am facing some challenges. I have actually always been pretty good about facing them by changing my perspective, but now I might try the literal aspect. I need to work on my headstands anyway. Thank you.

  32. Awesome post, as always…When I need to change perspective, I often head out for a run. I honestly do my BEST thinking when I’m running – there are no outside influences (TV, phone, family) getting in the way – just me and my thoughts and I usually return with a plan of attack.

    I can do a headstand against the wall. Does that count? =)

  33. Huh…I’ve never tried it. I think that if I tried one on a chair with wheel sit would go poorly for all involved, but I think just on a mat on the floor could be OK 🙂

    Strangely, when I need a reboot, I crank the tunes and do something really physical like dance or go for a run…I think this is a great idea tho. Required focus and strength. I’ll try it 🙂

  34. I’m like a dog with a bone when I’m challenged. Try try try again. Not succeeding isn’t an option. I’m very analytical and like others a list maker, I do better on a schedule. When something happens to throw that schedule out I get a little antsy but plough through

    If I need a change I take it, literally. Be it yoga, or whatever. I change things up, I’ve also been known to say to hell with it and just take a break from everything!

    I would LOVE a headstand challenge! Haven’t attempted this in a while (body injuries and issues) but I’m thinking I may try it again soon!

  35. Wow, you are awesome!!! I cannot stand on my head so you would win the challenge hands down, or heads down so to speak. When I want to change perspective I run!!! Can you teach me how to do a headstand at Fitbloggin???

  37. Wow, doing a headstand on a computer chair… living life on the edge! I get bad anxiety so working in changing my perspective when I am faced with challenges is even more of a challenge for me and definitely something I need to work on.

  38. Do you really say “great crapballs”? Because that’s an incredible expression. I do believe that it’s important to shift your perspective as you say. I wish that I could do it physically like you do (which by the way, you make look so easy).

  39. That is one heck of a party trick. Me? I run. And the things I’m not thinking about come bubbling up and float about and settle out in a new way.

  40. we love you! love the whistle too 🙂
    we are trying to get back into doing our headstands through yoga and our stretching, we know all good they are for the body. we are up to the challenge!

  41. To be truly zen and a practicing yogini…wrap your hands around your hear and use your forearms for balance. That’s the correct way to do a headstand. oh..but I KNOW you don’t go with the mainstream…it’s your way of doing it. yup.

  44. I love the way you view the world. Don’t run away from the hurdle but change your way of thinking/ problem solving. I wish this way of thinking was more common. So often the response to a great challenge is anger. Head stands are a much better choice!

  48. You are such a role model! I can’t stand on my head, but I’ve learned to delay my reaction to anything. I literally pause until I can respond without being defensive or offensive. It means not making it about me, but about the situation. I don’t get it right every time, but when I do the effect is huge.

    I’m an undying fan of Dr. Dyer. I think I’ve watched every video of his on Youtube and I have a few of his book. He really does inspire me.

  49. Im impressed! Headstand? I haven’t done one since I was a kid! Yesterday was Posituve thinking day and every time a negative thought entered my mind I switched and found a positive. What would happen I wonder if I did that daily!?

  50. Craptastic! is one of my favorites – sarcasm and frustration mixed. I step out of myself as much as possible when I need new angle. Literally take a walk or walk away and figuratively find another side to look in from for a minute. Alone time is key for this. And if it sounds like something I can’t do – I try to find a way to do it.

  51. Nothing is inherently good or bad, just information to take in…. love this idea!
    As of recent months, I have made a concerted effort to be thankful for any experience that comes my way, regardless of how nail biting and freaking out worthy it may seem. Sometimes this is a huge challenge and yet I do find a way to be thankful for the experience and what I can learn from it. Often I end up smiling when I should be crying. It is a wonderful change for me.
    Seems you are more of a natural ‘smiler’ in the face of crud than am I. Maybe I could try the head standing!

  52. Miz, I’m a metaphorical perspective-changer. I usually do try to see ‘things’ from all angles, but find it hard to shift my own pre-conceived ideas about certain things.

    I wrote a blog post a while ago about a guy who said he decided NOT to set out to lose weight, but change his life. AND he lost weight.

    I’m all about the ‘losing of weight’ rather than the changing of my life. But, I’d like to change that!

    Deb

  53. I am an inversion fan but not necessarily for a perspective change. For that I go to pranayama and meditaition to fnd my calm, gooey center. Being at that place helps me let go of my ego-bound, monkey mind and let the world present itself without me having to dabble my fingers in it constantly.

  54. Love headstands to change perspective. Also a good tool to force you to face your fears (ie moving away from the wall and to the center if the room). I had a wonderful teacher who started the practiceby teaching us how to fall first. Once you know you can fall safely, then you can work to trust your body to take you safely upside down.

Trackbacks

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This