I wasn't sure I should be the person to do an article on meditation because I'm really not very good at it. And I have tried.
First, I tried locking myself in a closet and setting a timer for 10 minutes because that is what Glennon Doyle mentioned she had done and had success with. For me I found I was just trying to block out the sound of my kids in the next room and to get my mind to not go to my to do list. Didn't last...
Second, I tried visual guided meditations, that if I remember correctly were on Netflix, with my kids during homeschool during Covid. Let's just say that didn't last even through one episode....
Third, a girlfriend told me about InsightTimer, the free app that helps you build a meditation habit through thousands of guided meditations. I liked it. I liked it a lot actually. Not having to tell my mind not to go somewhere, but instead listening to where someone else was taking it, was really helpful. I also loved that I could pick a specific meditation based on the amount of time I had and what I needed in that moment- an energetic start to the day, peaceful sleep, parenting focused, you name it! I got in a pretty good routine with it, but then life happened and I got out of the routine and it just fell off my to do list.
Fourth, I listened to a podcast where Oprah talked about how she would have a cup of tea and sit outside watching the ocean every morning and importance of just letting your mind wander and go where it wanted to instead of where your to do list or phone told you where your attention should be. I loved that idea! And I loved doing this. I set a timer for seven minutes and had seven minutes on my sunporch after the kids left for school. Just typing this I know I should do this again. Each time something, or more importantly, someone, entered my thoughts and I would reach out and connect with them and know it was just what I needed to do that day. I still have a hard time quieting my mind enough, and really hate the idea of just trying to think about nothing, so just letting whatever thoughts pop into my head and noticing them, was really lovely. But again, the habit didn't stick.
That has been my meditation journey. One of experimenting and having some really wonderful experiences with it and some really not wonderful experiences, but also gaining the understanding of the importance of practicing it in the midst of our hectic lives. I'm a work in progress.
Recently a friend sent me about this meditation on InsightTimer and it stopped me in my tracks. I actually quite literally wanted to stop it in ITS tracks because I wanted to really soak up and absorb everything she was saying. I immediately forwarded it onto several friends and family members that I thought would love it too, and now I'm doing the same, sharing it with you. I hope you benefit from taking a pause in your busy life and listening to this beautiful eight minute guided meditation by Sarah Blondin entitled Learning to Surrender. I know I'll be coming back to this one again and again (because I already have).
If you don't already have InsightTimer, it is a free app. :)
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