How To Discipline Yourself to Meditate

I’ve figured it out. I finally know how to get myself to be more disciplined in a mediation practice. All you need to do is get yourself in a situation so over-whelming and stressful that you need the mental time-out of mediation to deal with it. See, it’s easy to be disciplined. It’s like how I am able to stick with my morning yoga routine because my back hurts a lot if I skip more than two days. Apparently, the stick approach is working better for me than the carrot.

I haven’t been writing here for a while, mostly because of the same situation that drives me to meditation. I just haven’t been able to spare the extra mental energy for it and I didn’t want this blog to turn into a whine-fest reminiscent of a 14-year old’s diary. I am working on getting my act together and being there for some people who really need the support. Sometimes people close to you have problems that make you reassess the scope of your own. That is where I am at right now. Hopefully, I will find the time for more reflection here.

Slow Christmas

I have just had the last busy weekend I want to have until the new year. I am focusing on having what I call a Slow Christmas this year – fewer presents, fewer activities, fewer obligations, less stress. I want to reclaim enjoying the holiday season. I simply refuse to spend any time in malls on the weekends for the rest of the month. I will do things with my family that I enjoy doing and will take on fewer things that I have to do. I will be mindfull and present for one of the last Christmases I will probably have with both my girls at home full time. I really mean it this year.

In our house tonight we will have one of my favorite parts of the season – putting up the Christmas tree!

The Goal is Even Keel

After yesterday I fully expect to have an emotionally draining week; this is unavoidable. The variable is my response so I have decided to take proactive steps towards mood enhancement to keep me level.

Step 1 today was to wear my pretty new green dress. It sounds shallow and trivial, I know, but why not start out the day feeling good about how I look? Especially when insomnia left me puffy-eyed.

Step 2 is music and I don't mean the blues. Hopefully upbeat music will drown out some negativity.

Step 3 is to MAKE myself make time to meditate. Moping is more tempting, but a few still minutes of breathing should help to keep an even keel.

Step 4 is community. I want to hide in a cave and feel sorry for myself, but I am going to make sure I continue to reach out. This blog is part of that and people I met on Twitter did more to lift my mood last night than anything else.

I think I will print out this list and keep it on my desk as a reminder. I am unusually goal oriented this week. The goal is even keel. Wish me luck.