Four Hours of Power

If your life is a bit upside down right now, and you are a person who craves routine, the past few weeks may have you feeling a bit powerless. I know I thrive when my day to day is well organized and planned out...and it's been the complete opposite. And that's OK! Whether you're getting a bit of extra down time, you are an essential worker (THANK YOU!) or are adjusting to working from home, we can all agree our daily schedule looks a bit different lately.

So amid the chaos, I thought about the things I can control. And for me (and most of us), the one thing that kept coming up was my power of CHOICE. No matter the season and whats happening around us, age, gender, ethnicity, or background, we all have that power. We make so many choices each day from what to wear and the music we listen to, to which emails to answer and what we cook for dinner. So why not really examine how we are using our time? How is what you choose to do daily impacting your life positively...or adversely? In what ways can we raise our individual energy, in turn doing the same for the collective?

We can choose to use our time in ways that best support our mental and physical health, our own personal growth, and that of others. We have the POWER to do all of that through choosing to do things that are in alignment with the highest versions of ourselves...

Enter the Four Hours of Power.

I created the Four Hours of Power as a daily template for me to assure I was utilizing my time in a way that benefited not only myself but the world around me. Let me share with you what these hours are and some examples of ways you can use them, however they may fit into your day.

An Hour of Education:

*Read a book

*Listen to an informative podcast (one geared toward an interest or passion, personal growth, health and wellness, or spirituality)

*Watch a documentary

*Learn a dance or song

*Invest in learning a new language or how to play an instrument (or brush up on your skills!)

*Take an online class or join a webinar

An Hour of Movement:

*Walk or run

*Garden or landscape

*Clean

*Practice yoga

*Play a sport or get outdoors with your family

*Dance

An Hour Free of Technology:

*Organize an area of your home

*Rest / nap

*Journal / write

*Meditate

*Spend time with family

*Take a bath (or any other form of self care!)

*Read a magazine

An Hour for Community:

*Call

*Text

*Email

*FaceTime or video chat

*Write and send notes or cards

(Communicate with friends, family, online communities, co-workers, or members of your church congregation)

Remember, these hours can be combined, divided up, and moved to different times daily to accommodate your schedule. I plan accordingly each morning so I can get each of them in based on my schedule for the day. For example; I chatted with a friend via FaceTime while on a walk (Movement and Community) and listened to a podcast while I cleaned (Education and Movement), and read a book while taking a bath (Education and Tech Free). If you are currently at home or still working, these can be adopted into your life and life of your family's at any time. They have made a huge impact for me during this time of "new" routine and many others who joined me in implementing them! You ALWAYS have the power of choice, how will you use your power?

**Tag me @sarahb_thriving on Instagram or @SarahPrasseBeherns on Facebook and use the hashtag #4HoursofPower to join in and share your Hours of Power**