Five Minutes to Cultivate Some Calm

Recently someone asked me “why the heck” I “still get up so early” despite working from home.  My response was threefold.  

First, my work is flexible, not negotiable.   I still  have a full plate work and life’s obligations and fun. 

Second, it’s a habit that get me up and moving into the day.  

Third, I find something very gratifying in getting up before the sun and have a bit of quiet and one of my core self-care practices of mindfulness.

Despite being clear on “why” my day starts like this, it’s sticky.  Sleep gets interrupted. Bedtime is delayed when I strive to do “one more thing” or get sucked into Netflix or a good book.  It’s simply too easy to get sidetracked with other stuff before I even get dressed.  I have to continually be aware of how I feel and act in my morning routine to see (and avoid!)  the roadblocks to doing what matters.

When I am tempted to listen to the news, check social media, clean up my desk or empty the dishwasher, I stop to think of how I will feel when my day unravels. It’s so easy to feel agitated when I break promises to myself.  That little heckler in my head starts to criticize. I feel like I did so often as a young mom,  taking on too much not completing anything the way I thought I was supposed to.

Or worse, like a schoolgirl who gets report card comments like this: 

Lisa has the ability to be a good student. At present, she needs help in establishing good work habits, especially those involved with listening and following through on the task at hand…..

A year or so later: 

Lisa is a talented girl who has decided to listen more and slow herself down. This has greatly increased the quality of her work.

Yup, that’s what my elementary teachers actually wrote, in perfect cursive on the triplicate report card form. There were probably many other teachers along the way that could have or DID say the same. 

I’m still learning better focus every day. Each day is a new chance to “listen more” and “slow down.” 

And that’s what and why I sit with many mornings in my meditation. Even when it’s hard to fit in, even if I only need five minutes.

Like this week - which has been a first-class ticket on the Crazy Train. Projects are peaking or needing my attention this week.  I’m traveling for work and it’s been raining AGAIN.  Each morning I can start with some calm that I can snuggle back into like my favorite old sweater when the Crazy Train tries to get me on board.

Ten years ago, I never thought I’d sit still to meditate.  But I do and I help others see that just five minutes a day can begin to change all the other minutes in the day.

I help clients see that breath is a tool you carry with you all the time.  It’s s a tool that you can harness in times of stress or overwhelm that, frankly, help you better manage that stress and overwhelm so you can find calm in the chaos of life.

Are you wondering if mindfulness something you can do? Of COURSE, you can, but will you choose to take care of yourself this way?

Let’s start by getting CURIOUS.  Ready to try? Let’s do this!

Find yourself a quiet place to be alone for just a few minutes. Your car, the bathroom, a closet, your office. It’s only a few minutes. People won’t miss you too much - but if they are within earshot, you might want to pop in some earbuds or turn the volume down.

Click here to listen to a short guided meditation. Then come back!

Now how are you feeling?

I often start my day with this practice.  Other times, I use it if  I am distracted, anxious, unsure, unsettled. It brings on that rest-and-digest part of my nervous system so I can tackle the next step with a clearer head. But life changes and patterns emerge and re-emerge. We are continually being pulled back into some drama, some stress, some challenge. 

We can learn to choose how we react, but we don’t always have the tools and the experience to choose how we will respond.

Want to learn more?

Join me for a micro class the week of November 11th. We’ll be in a private Facebook group with daily follow up emails so you can practice on your own schedule.  All you need to do is sign up and then be sure to give yourself space and about five minutes a day for five days.

 Sign up here to grab your spot.

Are you ready to cultivate some calm so you can feel more grounded?  Let’s do this!