of Hope
Meditation thoughts...
Just wanted to share my own experiences when I disconnect from my core centre, from whom I like to be, the grounded 'Dee', vs the ego blocked individual.
The other day I was working on my laptop, without the proper power source, and for those of you with laptops know there's a power indicator, how much is left before eventually the system gives you a pop up window advising to reconnect to a power source, or basically fade until it shuts down.
This got me thinking how similar this is to me... Each time I try to 'run on my own power' I know I hear signs, see signs, feel signs, that I need to reconnect with my Higher Source, but yet sometimes I don't. I chose to drag myself hour to hour, sometimes day to day on exhausting uphill climb, without any inner guidance, and needless to say, in no specific direction. During these times, my health is affected, my belief system is affected, my day/night routine is affected.. yet I still don't 'reconnect'!
Can't explain how the light gets turned back on.. but i'm so grateful it does. Once I reconnect how things change, how the same 'dark corners' have lit up, how the impossible uphill climb doesn't seem so hard anymore, and so on.
It's interesting how we maintain our car to allow maximum performance, and always reconnect our laptop before it shuts down.. yet we still don't always have a personal maintenance schedule to ensure maximum performance, and the amazing part of it is, it wouldn't take much!
Things to keep in mind...
Remember to have ‘me’ time. Don't underestimate how important it is to have me-time, even if you have to schedule this. And yes, I know, most people would say how impossible this is. I was a single mom of two young daughters for years, working full time, so yes, I get this. Do what you can to ensure you find me-time. Ensure you do something to enjoy time to yourself, even if it's a few minutes of nothing. Free your mind and don’t feel guilty about needing your space away from friends and family.
Maintain important relationships. Make a phone call to someone that is special to you, even if it's only for a minute. It's amazing how these connections can raise our vibration. Make time for those special people in your life.
Eat properly and exercise. I know this sounds like a broken record, but it is important to eat properly.. again, like that old saying goes, you wouldn't put anything in a car's gas tank that would damage the engine... yet most of us don't make many healthy food choices. Quality vitamins are an option as well. Water...another broken record, drink lots of water. Finding time to exercise is sometimes a stressor on it's own. Yet when we do exercise, we are amazed how good we feel. There are so many thrift stores in the K-W area, regularly check them for inexpensive workout equipment to let you let exercise fit in your life, vs trying to fit your life around exercising. Make it fun for yourself.
Get your rest. Sleep seems to be a challenge for a lot of people. We do feel more energized with a good night’s rest. It helps us be more efficient during waking hours. Yes, I know.. sleep gets in the way of life.. but keep in mind, with proper sleep, we can handle life better.
Know when to say no. Boundaries are another challenge for a lot of individuals. At times it seems, the more we give, the more that's expected of us. Keep in mind, sometimes it's not a limit of love/kindness/neglect you're putting around family, friends, or work, but boundaries. We are own own best mechanic..it is ok, and even healthy, to say no when you feel that you are being stretched too far, or we just need a bit of down time.
Breathing/Meditation: Here is where this comes in... people may define meditation as time consuming, or they don't know how, or they can't meditate more than 2-3 minutes and then their mind gets too busy. Well this is easier than you think. Try this.. for one minute, and use the stove timer if it's easier.. for one minutes slow down your breathing so it fills your belly when you inhale, if you're female, forget the social expectation of holding your stomach in.. let it out! Fill up your belly by inhaling slowly.. don't rush to exhale... exhale slowly as well, and empty your belly of air. Repeat slowly. filling your belly with air, and slowly exhale. While doing this, empty your mind.. think of nothing, or have a single positive point of focus.
I remember a chiropractor friend made a suggestion, place one hand on the chest/lung area, and one on the stomach area. Now take a breath. If your hand on your chest moved, your breathing from the wrong place. Your stomach should have moved. There's more stress created within our shoulders and neck area when we breath from our chest area.
Whenever you have to, even at work.. take a walk away from your working station/desk, and just breath.. inhale slow deep breaths, then exhale slowly. Something so simple can enhance and renew our mind, body, spirit and soul.
Pamper yourself. Do something special just for yourself, even if you just sit in front of the tv for half an hour to watch a mindless show.
Laugh! That old saying 'laughter is the best medicine'.. it still is! Find ways to have positive fun, find that belly laugh again :)
Blessings
Dee
Grand Bend, Ontario
