GQ: Not just a men’s fashion magazine but a new quotient for the summer!

As summer dawns, we prepare to expose our tender Irish skin to the sun’s rays. At home or abroad, but hopefully in sunny climes, it’s time to unveil ourselves to the elements once more, absorbing vitamin D and moving into outdoor life. Whether it’s trying on the old summer shorts, a new dress or swimsuit, there may be judgments and, dare I say, reflections on the majesty and landscape of our tummies.

In the caring professions, we often talk about head intelligence (IQ) and if we’re very with it emotional intelligence (EQ). But awareness is less frequently assigned to the gut, the exploration of which I like to call GQ. Often referred to as gut instinct or gut feeling; gut sensing is a more accurate way of identifying this energy. So, if you’ve made it this far into reading, I invite you to simply pause now and take a deep breath into the depths of that beautiful space inside your body, perhaps asking the questions “how’s my gut awareness today?” or “how’s my inner animal doing?”

What’s that? You may laugh at the notion of having an inner animal resident in your belly, but reflect on these common phrases: “he wolfed down that food” or “she froze like a rabbit in the headlights”. The gut is where our instinctive juices flow and mix together, creating a cocktail of responses that often dictate our mood. It can provide valuable early warning signals, if we choose to notice them.

Technically, it’s connected to the adrenal glands and the parasympathetic nervous system which runs up the spine into what’s called, and here we have it, the animistic or animal brain. Flight, fight or freeze are the three types of responses that arise within the gut and adrenal fatigue (or burn out brought on by the fierce rush of modern living) could be one of the biggest dis-eases this century.

This takes me back to the Old Rectory in Donard, which Chrysalis has just vacated. A story about our inner animals was posted on the hall noticeboard, and it goes like this:

A Grandfather from the Cherokee Nation was talking with his grandson. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight between two wolves." The young grandson listened intently. "One wolf is evil, unhappy, filled with anger, envy, war, greed, selfishness, sorrow, regret, guilt, resentment, and arrogance. He spreads lies, deceit, fear, hatred, blame, scarcity, poverty, and divisiveness."

"The other wolf is beautiful and good: He is friendly, joyful, loving, worthy, serene, humble, kind, benevolent, just, fair, empathetic, generous, honest, compassionate, grateful, brave, and inspiring resting wholeheartedly in deep vision beyond ordinary wisdom."

Grandfather continued; "This same fight is going on inside you, and inside all human beings as well." The grandson paused in deep reflection and recognition of what his grandfather had just said. Then he finally cried out deeply; "Oyee! Grandfather, which wolf will win this horrific war?" The elder Cherokee replied, "The wolf that you feed. That wolf will surely win!"

Feed yourself this summer with love, respect and tenderness. I encourage you to relax, make friends with that inner animal at the base of your being…and quietly watch what emerges.