To be honest, when I saw this was the next one on the list, I wasn’t sure whether to do it or not. I’ve never really meditated before and wouldn’t really know what to do, so I decided to simply take some time out to relax, with a view of ‘taking it from there’.
You may have noticed that I have blogged less this week, I stole some blog time to relax and read a book. I spent a few hours over the course of the week laying down quietly in the bedroom just reading, and (ahem) falling asleep. I’m not sure if it was down to this extra ‘time out’, but I have been feeling particularly relaxed and positive even with a constantly niggling absess. I also enjoyed more quality play time with Erin and an increasing sense of ‘being in the moment’ (as opposed to treating every day like a race).
I definitely intend on keeping this type of relaxation up, it seems to be having a positive effect on more than one area of my life, and I think it is time worth sacrificing as I’m definitely getting more done in the remaining time as a result.
Next weeks’ habit: Get Organized - this will be a two week habit as I’m away for a long weekend (yay)
Photo by flickr user frogarythm
5 Responses to “Parent Testing a Habit: Meditate Daily”
I’ve always liked the sound of meditation but never been very good at making time to do it - too busy racing on to the next thing, I suppose, which makes it hard to enjoy the present. Thanks for this posting - I might try and set aside a few minutes of quiet time each day to get centred.
Meditation is fab and I love it when I get a chance to do it. However, like MaL, I’m always too busy rushing around. I have tried guided meditation in a group and apart from the nose-snorting that you sometimes get from others (and trying not to laugh out loud) I quite enjoy it. The problem is trying to stick to a weekly routine, when I’ve got my husband’s work timetable to consider, is not as easy as I sometimes think. Thanks for the reminder though, relaxation in whatever form is a must.
Oh you must read ‘Stopping: The art of being still when you have to keep going!”, recommends several ’stillpoints’ a day when you stop, also talks about ’stopovers’ like holidays where you rest for a while and some people need ‘grinding halts’ where you have to have a life changing retreat from it all to work stuff out.
I used to work as an educational tour guide with teenagers which was so full-on! I learned very quickly to snatch 10 mins or so to just be still and calm before the storms arose again! Good practicing for parenting two manic boys!
Tatty Bumpkin and Relax Kids CDs both good for kids to learn to move, breath and relax by the way! I teach the former to preschool and early years aged kids and it’s great!
I meant to also say that it takes 21 days to form a habit apparently! And 14 times to try a food you don’t like before you like it, or something!
Paula, I’ve added that book to my ‘to read’ list, it sounds like a great one for all parents
I’ve heard that 14 times thing too, I just keep wheeling the same meals out for Erin, I haven’t been keeping count though!