March 2024

March represents birth, renewal and balance

Trying to do life every day without renewal, is like trying to cut a piece of wood with a dull saw.

Outlined are a few suggestions on how to prioritise your health, and sharpen the saw.

March is the month where we are really feel the pull of spring. February allows some of the hibernation of winter, but once we reach March we are naturally hitting the ground jogging. We are leaving the cocooning of winter.

March is still an unpredictable, tough month so we must practice kindness in our thoughts and habit change. It can be a month of one step forward and one step back in terms of changing our diet, activity levels and starting any new ideas. 

Outlined are a few of the rituals and seasonal markers associated with March that can lend support to our physical and mental health.

Spring equinox and balancing

Equinox brings our awareness to balancing our energy.  

We worry about money in order to survive and be happy. Money will always come, but our time and energy is limited. Ask where do I choose to prioritise money, over my health and energy and relationships?

On the March 19th equinox there will be equal day and night, light and dark. From here on we know that the light grows greater. Here we allow our mind-set to open up to more. Let in that feeling that comes with the growth of plants, buds on trees and the birth of wild animals.

Remember in this modern age work life is relentless we tend not to put up boundaries around workload no matter what season it is. This article encourages us, even in the face of the relentlessness of modern day living, to align with the seasons in any way that we can.

How can you balance the needs of work, the needs of others and your own needs? Our own needs include saying no in the right places, and saying yes to the important things in your life.

The following questions help us identify how we can live a more meaningful life, by having the wisdom to exercise our human right to say no, at the right time, in the right places.

1. Where in my life do I have difficulty saying No?

There is a “no” that wants to be said but you don’t say it.

Reflect on two areas when answering these:  

• (A) personal life
• (B) work

Take a minute, no distractions – and let each question sit.

Now ask –

1. What are the consequences for me not saying that no? e.g. I carry resentment? I’m always tired? E.g. of course I’ll do that! or If I don’t do it, it won’t be done right! Saying no to yourself can be the toughest task!

1. What am I afraid of happening if I say no? e.g. “if I say no I’m being selfish” “I’ll be a bad parent” “I’m letting people down” etc.

In this question you find your old limiting beliefs.

2. Where in my life do I have difficulty saying yes?

To the important things, creative expression, family, silence and solitude, meaningful habits.

Tip - If you’re not saying no, then you won’t have time to say yes.

Easter

Easter is an important cultural holiday that falls on March 31st, it represents birth and renewal –

Your life has been a story, and March 2024 is a new chapter - how would you like to write it? What one thing can you do that would expand your life this week?

• Align with the pace and growth of March.
• Choose where you express your No’s and Yes’s.
• What relationships could use your time and energy?
• How can you take time every day for your own renewal and balance?

Set your intention to make different choices -

“Making the same choices each day will keep you in the same familiar, known life. To connect to your new future, you must become a new self” _ Dr Joe Dispenza

Garda National Wellbeing Office

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