This morning in my meditation, I struggled to get my mind to quiet which is normally not an issue for me. However, I have a list of tasks to accomplish, my massage business is down partially due to Covid and partially due to my own lack of getting things done, my budget is dental floss thin right now, some newly diagnosed health concerns and the weather is less than ideal today (I am not a fan of dreary. Give me 100 degrees any day!). That's a lot of personal information but I think transperancy is important when I'm talking to others about mindfullness. When I chat with my clients about meditation, I hear a lot of "I've tried" or "it's so hard" and even "I can't" and it's necessary for them to know that I can relate. I have been there, and even though I've been doing this for years, some days I struggle. There is a reason that it is called a meditation practice. We are never perfect it and we always must continue practicing to find what works best for us personally. It is a continuously transforming process. How I meditate today is vastly different than 10 years ago.
For those of us with a continuously running internal monologue, it may prove difficult some days to compartmentalize those thoughts and just "be", but I promise it IS possible and the benefits are so amazing. Lowered blood pressure and stress levels. More peaceful existence.
Today I want you to take at least 60 seconds. Turn on whatever music soothes you (this changes regularly for me!). Find a meditation station, light jazz, Native American flutes, singing bowls....the possibilities are endless. Close your eyes and focus on 3 deep breaths. Breathe in through the nose, inhaling all the way into the bottom of the belly. Exhale naturally through your mouth. Don't force it. Just allow the air to escape your body naturally.
Think of one thing that makes you happy. A person, your favorite vacation spot, a warm cup of cocoa, a hug, etc. Literally anything. Now imagine your feelings surrounding that thing. Imagine the smells, the textures if you touch it. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be there in that moment.
Congratulations! You just meditated. It doesn't matter if you had "extra" thoughts. It doesn't matter if it was perfect. The point is to remind ourselves to be mindful and take those moments to reset whether it is 10 seconds, 60 seconds or even longer.
I'm proud of you!
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