I used to hear this a lot. In fact I felt that way too.

So what changed my mind?

My life was a pressure cooker of duties, activities, and health issues.

“No time to slow down!” Until one fateful now grateful day, my body threw on the brakes and I literally hit the floor. Out of seemingly nowhere I had a seizure and passed out.

I had missed better yet purposely ignored the signs. I told myself I had no time to slow down. And the multiple medications I was taking for migraines, back pain, and depression should have been enough to keep the pressure cooker at a manageable level right? Wrong!

It was clear I couldn’t go on like this. What if I had passed out driving my kids or on the way to work? There had to be a better way. 

One of the great things about mindfulness is you don’t have to stop your life to do it.

In fact, I found the more stressful and demanding life became the deeper and more effective my mindfulness practice became.

As a newly retired teacher my mindfulness and meditation practice feels quite different.

Dare I say, not as grounded or intentional.

I feel a bit like an EMT might feel if they never had any calls to help people but they have all the skills to do so.

At least for me mindfulness was an almost constant companion as I taught school. It gave me the very real ability to be present, calm, compassionate, curious, non-judgemental, and regulated.

Why? Because I had to be. I had to be all those things for the students and staff. That’s the job. But, it’s more than a job, it is a calling. This state of being nurtured me as I helped them.

It wasn’t a burden or a chore.  Moving through the world in a mindful way is a gift to others and to yourself.

I encourage you to plug in mindfulness practice throughout your day.

Do it while you are walking around the house, in the office, sitting at your desk, communicating, eating, etc.

When you notice you are perseverating and ruminating, gently pause that thought and notice with curiosity and non-judgement what the thought is about.

Ask yourself if the thought is helpful.  If it’s not helpful,  release it like a balloon, if it is a helpful thought, write it down or mentally put a pin in it if you need to focus your attention on something else.

Gently focus your awareness on what your senses are picking up. Slow your breathing, soften your muscles, and focus on what the other person is saying to you when you’re in conversation.

With practice you will find that life “feels” slower and calmer because your internal systems are regulated.

It’s like being a lighthouse in a storm. The waves can crash up against the lighthouse and yet, the lighthouse is grounded and helpful. Shining a light on a better way.

It takes practice, friends. Be kind and patient with yourself as you practice.

Start your day with a simple meditation. This will help you stabilize for the day.

You don’t have time to NOT practice mindfulness and meditation.

Be a lighthouse.

No Time For Mindfulness Or Meditation

I used to hear this a lot. In fact I felt that way too.

So what changed my mind?

My life was a pressure cooker of duties, activities, and health issues.

“No time to slow down!” Until one fateful now grateful day, my body threw on the brakes and I literally hit the floor. Out of seemingly nowhere I had a seizure and passed out.

I had missed better yet purposely ignored the signs. I told myself I had no time to slow down. And the multiple medications I was taking for migraines, back pain, and depression should have been enough to keep the pressure cooker at a manageable level right? Wrong!

It was clear I couldn’t go on like this. What if I had passed out driving my kids or on the way to work? There had to be a better way. 

One of the great things about mindfulness is you don’t have to stop your life to do it.

In fact, I found the more stressful and demanding life became the deeper and more effective my mindfulness practice became.

As a newly retired teacher my mindfulness and meditation practice feels quite different.

Dare I say, not as grounded or intentional.

I feel a bit like an EMT might feel if they never had any calls to help people but they have all the skills to do so.

At least for me mindfulness was an almost constant companion as I taught school. It gave me the very real ability to be present, calm, compassionate, curious, non-judgemental, and regulated.

Why? Because I had to be. I had to be all those things for the students and staff. That’s the job. But, it’s more than a job, it is a calling. This state of being nurtured me as I helped them.

It wasn’t a burden or a chore.  Moving through the world in a mindful way is a gift to others and to yourself.

I encourage you to plug in mindfulness practice throughout your day.

Do it while you are walking around the house, in the office, sitting at your desk, communicating, eating, etc.

When you notice you are perseverating and ruminating, gently pause that thought and notice with curiosity and non-judgement what the thought is about.

Ask yourself if the thought is helpful.  If it’s not helpful,  release it like a balloon, if it is a helpful thought, write it down or mentally put a pin in it if you need to focus your attention on something else.

Gently focus your awareness on what your senses are picking up. Slow your breathing, soften your muscles, and focus on what the other person is saying to you when you’re in conversation.

With practice you will find that life “feels” slower and calmer because your internal systems are regulated.

It’s like being a lighthouse in a storm. The waves can crash up against the lighthouse and yet, the lighthouse is grounded and helpful. Shining a light on a better way.

It takes practice, friends. Be kind and patient with yourself as you practice.

Start your day with a simple meditation. This will help you stabilize for the day.

You don’t have time to NOT practice mindfulness and meditation.

Be a lighthouse.