Meditation - It's For Me

I've had a steady meditation practice for five months now where I sit for at least 10 minutes almost every day. Five months doesn't seem like that long of a time, but it feels long to me because it's helped my life a lot in just this short time. I have also been wanting - and trying - to meditate for many years now, but I couldn't get into a routine practice.

But this post is not about how or why I started meditating. Instead, I want to share with you the subtle changes it has made in my life. First of all, on days that I don't meditate in the morning, I can tell. I move through my day almost lethargic, with less passion, a sometimes foggy brain, and often have feelings of discontent. But when I do meditate, the opposite happens. I make better decisions and am more focused. I am less reactive at work and to my husband, and I have a slight smile to my face most of the day. Even the sky looks bluer and the clouds fluffier. For these reasons I find it most important for me to carve out meditation time in the morning vs. at night, though I still enjoy my night meditation as it helps to clear my mind and leads to a good night sleep.

I led my husband and I through a meditation last night before bed. Meditating is new to him, and I respect him for wanting to try something that is so important to me. It was hard for him to get comfortable, and he broke out laughing when I referenced "your true essence," as phrases like that are new to him. But he stuck with it for a whole ten minutes - and said that his mind had never been so clear. He didn't think about work, or his to-do list, but he sat peacefully. Hopefully he will join me again!

So even if meditation, or yoga, is a foreign concept to you, open your mind and your heart up to it. You can start small, or perhaps you dive right in, but just try it. Be OK with being uncomfortable with something you are unfamiliar with. Be OK with not being perfect at something. Be OK with taking some time just for your self. Some days will be good, some days, well, not so good; but little by little - if you stick with it - meditation and yoga will change your life and keep you in a happy place.