Fall 2022 On Eagle's Wings

of self-awareness that actually empowers. Slowing Down and Going with the Flow In addition to cultivating mindfulness, asking “what” instead of “why” makes it easier to identify our emotions and manage them better. Evidence demonstrates that actively decoding our emotions and translating them into language arrests our f ight-or-flight response to stimuli, helping us stay composed, in control, and more equipped to tackle challenges with clarity. And indeed, when we slow down to think and feel purposefully, when we make a concerted effort to immerse ourselves in genuine introspection, we stop rushing back to what was. In fact, we stop rushing at all - rushing as the rapids of modern life do and crashing down steep slopes with little control over our lives. We begin to flow like f resh streams through lush, forested greenery; espousing the kind of peace, quiet power, and nourishment we - and the world - need to truly thrive. So as the season of f renetic fun that was Summer transitions

into the more cogitative and tranquil season of Fall, it’s the perfect time to relax a little and take yourself on a journey of enlightening and transformative introspection.

ThePowerof

Introspection

“In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.” to contemplation put forth by entrepreneur, coach, and New York Times Bestselling Author, Dave Hollis, during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. When lives the world over have been thrown into a state of flux, and we were still sifting through the rubble to rebuild and redef ine what the new normal would be. Ever so often, we encounter events that engender signif icant disruptions to lives, systems, beliefs, and values. These jolts are disconcerting, but the changes that surface and the ways in which we may be forced to adapt are usually a long time coming, if we think about it. For far too long, we had been riding a wave of excess, impervious to the trajectory of eventual destruction. Our hectic lifestyles were unhealthy and debilitating, and the economy fuelled not by the creation of real value but inequality and an inordinate focus on growth for growth's sake. The environment had also been bearing the brunt of This was a call

approach introspection is manifestly important. Beyond Asking Why When we assess and make observations f rom a place of pensiveness, we’re often asking the question “why” - “Why do I feel this way”, “Why are my relationships as such”, “Why am I not progressing as quickly as I would like”, and so on. And asmuch as understanding “why” is part of the process of examining ourselves, it can leave us feeling victimised if we don’t also ask ourselves “what” - “What emotions am I experiencing”, What is eliciting these feelings”, or “What can I do to sensibly respond to the situation at hand”. Asking “why” might make our limitations more apparent and daunting, but asking “what” helps us to acknowledge our potential and keep us focused on solutions. The “why” perspective mires us in the past, while that of “what” motivates us to create a better future. In other words, introspection alone can lead us down the road of unproductive rumination, but following up with insightful interrogations helps us to develop the kind

unsustainable socio-economic practices. We were gradually losing the ability to truly connect with ourselves and each other - to f ree ourselves f rom the perfunctory and superf icial; to sit and be still, delve within and feel, step back and think, rest and heal, and look beyond the material for guidance and inspiration. Global developments threw a spanner in the works, and we were presented with a unique opportunity to reset and correct the imbalances we had perpetuated or at the very least, grown to accept. We were made to slow down, take stock of our circumstances, and go with the flow of transformative shifts. What is Introspection Introspection. This process of going within to reflect upon and examine our thoughts and feelings, the key to us making sense of our circumstances, navigating unfamiliar territory, facing challenges more consciously, and rediscovering

our place in the world.

In evaluating our lives over the past few years, many of us came to a few epiphanies that, when acted upon, catalysed signif icant changes in society for the better. We realised that work should not consume our lives to the extent that it had, and that we needed to actively invest a lot more time and effort in nurturing relationships. We found that we could live more simply and didn’t actually require so many comforts, and that engaging in a broader range of interests and activities was crucial to stoking the embers of creativity and balanced life. introspection doesn’t only come to be in the aftermath of jarring events. We should regularly evaluate our experiences and emotions through the process of soul-searching. It helps us understand the way we are, allows us to better relate to the world around us, and improve ourselves. However, engaging in introspection isn’t enough to induce meaningful transformation; how we That said,

21 THE AMERICAN CLUB SINGAPORE

22 THE AMERICAN CLUB SINGAPORE