1) Meditation: more than anything, staying in the present is the only thing that makes sense. I can't change what's happened in the past and I can't control what is happening in the future so the only thing that is real is the present. I can only attend to what is happening in the present. And the only way that I can learn to focus on the present is meditation. There are so many different avenues to meditation and I think each person is different. For me, I've explored lots of different things but the things I like the most are guided meditations and focusing on my breath. There are tons and tons of podcasts full of guided meditations so it's easy to find and FREE!! I always try to light a candle for someone in need (usually someone other than me so I can practice not being selfish but if I need some extra love and care, I can choose me or a situation I'm in) and then I ask God to show me a different perspective on whatever problem or situation in my life. I know that I can always change my outlook if I just ask for a little guidance, so that's what I do.
I actually do usually sit like this because I've found it helps me move into a quiet time more easily than if I'm sitting in a chair or lying down. But you can do whatever. I seriously think this is something that is person and private for everyone. I also meditate when running, no music, just quiet time. It's pretty easy for me to let go of my thoughts when running too.
2. Making a plan: this is honestly just for me to get focused more than it is to actually implement. I rarely follow the plan I create, but it helps me get focused. I am a teeny bit overcommited right now so I actually do have to make a plan to make sure I don't forget something important. I have a feeling that I'm going to be spending the next couple of sundays here:
3. Talk to friends: I tend to beat myself up a bit. I can get bogged down in all of the things going on that don't seem to be going as planned and start to blame myself for not being better. I am support to be perfect at everything and if I fail, then something is wrong with me. That is my thought process sometimes. So it's nice to have a group of supportive friends that remind me that I'm doing a good job and I'm being too hard on myself. And really if I actually say my thoughts out loud to another person, I can kind of hear how ridiculous I'm being too.
this is my friend Amy (left) - she has gotten the brunt of this lately
my friends Lori (far left) & Jeanne (middle) - both always listen and Lori has really listened a lot lately!
Meredith (left) & I in New Orleans. She's my marathon buddy (she's ran all 3 races (half marathons) with me) and has helped me out a LOT at work
I'm starting a new book called The Presence Process.
Here is the product description from Amazon:
"Today we all face an increasing flow of events about which we may feel we can do nothing. This is not true. It is crucial we now experientially realize we are each responsible for navigating the quality of our personal experience. This book teaches us how to embrace authentic personal responsibility. It reveals the mechanics shaping the way we feel about our life and how we manifest our experience in a manner empowering us to respond consciously to every facet of our lives. It offers a simple, practical approach to accomplishing and maintaining personal peace in the midst of accelerating change, discomfort, conflict, and chaos."
I'm super excited about it. Everyone I know that's read/done it says it has changed their life.
What do you do when feeling stressed?
How do you get back to the basics?
Have you ever read the Presence Process?
I've never heard of that book, but I'll have to check it out...beautiful post. I really wish I could get into meditation. I can't quiet my mind long enough to do that it seems!
ReplyDeleteI had to start out with 1 minute and build up. For that 1 minute, I just tried to focus on breathing in and out. And then when I felt comfortable with that, I went to 2 minutes. And then after a week maybe, when I felt comfortable with that, I went to 3 minutes. and so on... anyone can do it. It's honestly more about the practice and the attempt than the actual doing it!!
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