My Month of Daily Meditation

I have been meditating for a while now,  but there were days when I found I was too busy to fit it in. The past 30 days I have done it every day, and it has made a difference in my attitude and calmness.  I have had multiple conversations with clients, friends and family members regarding different life situations they are experiencing and feel they have no control over.   I have suggested to them that they try meditating.  Some laugh and say I can’t sit for that long or it won’t work for me.  One friend mentioned how she couldn’t sit and meditate, but she has found a love of embroidery.  When she is concentrating on her project, it calms her mind. Here is one she is working on now:

Years ago I read an article about how quilting helped you deal with stress, so I asked my BFF if she wanted to take a quilting class with me. At first, she hesitated, but she agreed to try it, and we both have been quilting ever since! I called and started taking classes at a place near my home. If you live in RI or MA check this out. I have met some beautiful women.  We have both continued quilting, and we go twice a year on quilt weekends. When you are concentrating on the material you want, cutting it, sewing it and putting together, it takes your mind off your troubles. Here is something I made for Spring:

Meditation has helped me deal with some challenging changes I am going through in my life.  This past month I have made sure to do it at least 20 minutes per day.  When I lay down at night to go to sleep sometimes, my thoughts go to the challenges I am facing, and I lay there not able to sleep.  I have downloaded an app on my iPhone called Insight Timer, and I have bookmarked the ones that help me.  I have one for going to sleep that has not let me down (that and my lavender essential oils).  If you are not sure how to meditate, take a look at the many phone apps there are.  What I have found is my reactions to stressful situations or things out of my control are much calmer when I have made time to meditate.  It isn’t going to change the issue, but it does change the way I REACT to it.   I have noticed I can be very stressed and use breathing to calm down.  No one knows I am doing it, but I feel my body calm on its own.  I find I think before my mouth goes (big for me- I am Irish….Red face and mouth moving is part of my DNA if I get upset).

With the Spring weather coming I plan to do walking meditation.  There are plenty of phone apps for this too.  One example is here. Walking is good exercise and meditating is good for the mind and my outlook on life!  So here’s to putting a Spring in my step and Sunshine on my shoulders! So think about it what can you do “mindfully” to help you reap the benefits of Mindfulness in your life this Spring!