Success with meditation

I am so proud of my accomplishment.
I have adopted a habit of meditation.

I am on day 77 and am beginning to
experience some of the benefits.
The last tweak I will make in my
practice is the timing of the activity.

I took a small step outside of my
comfort zone in October.  A visiting
friend asked me if I wanted to practice a
few yoga moves with her.

Normally I would have said – No I have done
yoga – as if I already knew enough about yoga.
(Sometimes my I know it all attitude kicks in.)

But this time I said yes.  Marina showed me
eight postures specifically for my back aches
and pains. That day I learned simple movements
which addressed my weakest areas in my body.

I am happy to say that I have added these
postures, plus a few additional ones to my
morning practice.  Now my routine has extended
to 30 minutes. It includes stretching and
meditation. And I am feeling great.

I find the meditation component is best used
after my stretches because as I hold each pose,
I mentally relax into the stretch with the
accompanying deep breathing.

And finally, I understand the importance of
practicing my morning routine right away after
waking before my mind get busy with the
day’s tasks awaiting me.

My next step is to practice a short meditation
right before bed. 

Meditation made Easy!

I thought meditation must be easy,
boring even.

You just sit quietly, without thought. 
This notion couldn’t have been farther
from the truth. 44 days into my new practice,
I understand frustration of Elizabeth Gilbert
beginning her practice in India described
in her book “Eat, Pray, Love”.

I began my meditation practice August 29th.
I have yet to turn off the constant dialogue
in my head while doing it.  I know the theory
is to not worry about this dialogue and to
stick with the practice but…..

As I wait to experience any of the benefits of
meditation, I am discovering new things about
myself. 

Throughout each  day I notice my mind is also
always going – thinking, thinking, thinking. 
Thinking about my to do lists, upcoming
appointments, work projects, phone calls,
past events, the future in countless ways,
messes around me, making money
and on and on and on.

I am still struggling with the act of meditating –
quieting my mind and even just sitting for 5 minutes
in the uncomfortable lotus position.

I discovered that meditation is a form of
mindfulness.  Now I understand meaning of
the word – mindful.  It is an interesting word
because you think it would mean fill the
mind fully. But isn’t it the opposite?

To be aware, to be present, to live in the
moment, without judging, or analyzing. 

So as I include mindfulness more in my life,
I will notice the impact on my meditation practice.

And stay committed to this new habit of meditation.

A new habit begins

To me the word, health, incorporates my mind,
body, spirit and heart working synergistically
to create a vibrant, energetic, healthy being.

When any one part is not working up to speed,
is out of balance the whole being suffers. 

I am so left brain, always thinking, thinking, thinking.
I analyze, puzzle through problems looking for solutions.
This skill has served my well throughout my accounting and
tax consulting career.  In fact, you might say crucial
when working in this field.

But am I too far to the left?  My hobbies include games
and card playing – thinking, planning, guessing, reading
opponents.  I enjoy completing very hard jigsaw puzzle of
2000 to 2500 parts.  The tedious, endless sorting of pieces -
looking for matching shapes, designs and colors.

While it challenges my brain and helps with focus,
the predominant benefit it very similar to my work.

I started reading about right brain exercises thinking
this would help bring myself into balance. While researching
the function of the right brain, I discovered my understanding
of the two sides of the brain was inaccurate.  I learned that
the right brain, which I always associated with creativity and
expression is also responsible for visual processing,
big picture think, intuitive processing and processing ideas
simultaneously.  So in reality I have been exercising some of
this right side part as well.

I finally realized the missing component in my life is taking a
break from all my processing and thinking.  Taking the time to
just be, to be calm and quite – to meditate.

I have read about meditating for years, even practicing some
in the past.  While I could understand the many benefits,
until now I hadn’t connected them to me.

Meditation has physiological, psychological and spiritual benefits.
One internet search listed 100 of them such as:
    enhance the immune system
    increase blood flow
    normalize your ideal weight
    decrease muscle tension
    helps control own thoughts
    increase creativity
    easier to remove bad habits
    provides peace of mind, happiness
    helps living in the present moment
    creates a widening, deepening capacity for love

While I just listed 10 of them, the truth is I could see that
70-80 of them would provide important benefits for me. 

So I committed to a morning 5 minute meditation practice,
a realistic beginner’s goal to at the least get into the
habit of experiencing this ritual.

Since, I know creating a new habit takes a minimum of 28,
I committed to my 28 day trial and began my meditation practice,
August 29th.

I soon discovered this seemingly simple action is one of the
hardest things I have tried to do. Let me tell you my results.
First, I did not meditate all of the 28 days.  I missed 8 of them.
It is interesting that I missed every Sunday, a day in the
past given to prayer, reflection and quiet.  I also missed the
5 days this past week when I attended a life changing
“Inspiring Speaker” workshop by Marcia Wieder of
Dream University.  I mention it because so much
of the workshop content included personal development
practices. 

Second, during each meditation activity, I just could not
sit and relax, could not let my mind be calm and peaceful,
could not quiet my constant thinking.

But that was okay, I accepted my experience for what
it was and allowed myself to in it for the full 5 minutes.

I can not say that I have felt a any change yet but
luckily I have my life ahead of me yet to get there.

As I begin my next 28 days of meditation, I added
soothing music to the practice.  I am committed to
continue with this work. I look forward to receiving
the healthy benefits into my life.

Until next time…

My self-assessment test

 
As I contemplate how I can use my gifts and talents
to make a difference for myself, others and the planet,
I decided to become the first committed member of
my monthly coaching program.

My first step was to take my self-assessment test, Part I.

This test is divided into three pathways of life:
    Self (Life)
    Health
    Wealth

Each section has eight statements which required a -
   yes (I am satisfied)
   maybe/mostly (I am making progress)
   no (I am not satisfied) response.

In my head, I thought my life was pretty great
and I was along a solid path.  Hah! 

When I sat down with pencil and paper and took a
serious look at these twenty-four statements,
I was stunned when I  honestly rated how I was doing.

Of the 24 statements, I gave myself only
    6 yes, 10 maybe, 8 no. 

Boy, do I have work to do.  My worst category was health.
At my age, this category is perhaps the most important.
To maintain a high quality of life, I need to maximize
my good health and minimize my health care costs.

A similar experience and wake up call happened earlier
this year during my first interview with a new acupuncturist. 
I stated what I was in good shape, no medications,
no major issues.

And then I said, except – my upper and lower back hurts,
my skin is dry, I am both congested and constantly blowing
my nose often, my eyes water, I have a pot belly,
I don’t see as well at night, etc., etc,. etc.

WOW! I laughed and said maybe I am not as healthy as I thought.
How much of this is attributed to aging I wonder?
For me, not so much since I have lived with these “issues” for years. 
So for my first personal challenge and commitment to
 my new journey, I am focusing on improving my health.

So I ask:
  What does improving my health mean to me?
  How will I start?
  What is the most important aspect to change?
  What will bring me the best results?
  What is my goal?

Stay tuned for my decision at the next post as
 I develop my plan to improve my health.

Why am I on a journey?

More and more I believe that each new day is a blessing,
a gift, an opportunity, a journey along my path of life.

So I ponder where will my journey take me? How can I
share my talents and skills to make a difference for myself,
others and the planet?

We each have our own unique self.  We are here for a purpose,
a reason, to be part of the world consciousness.  No two of
us are alike in our thoughts, beliefs, actions and deeds.

So what do I bring to the table?  (Such a pun, since I love
to host an event. I have prepared a feast with so many of you.)

I choose to live a passionate life full of meaning and joy,
to give back (look for the charity challenge launch on
September 27th, 2011), and to continue my commitment of sustainable
living, leaving the smallest footprints behind as I take my last
30 years or so on this planet. 

I find great meaning using my skills, talents and knowledge
to inspire, empower and educate myself and others to be their best,
to fulfill their dreams to, to live a passionate life, to experience
all life has to offer, to be happy, to be free, to have open
hearts and minds.
  
This is my choice for my journey. What is yours?

A Journey begins

One year, twelve months, 52 weeks, 7 days, 24 hours,
60 minutes, 60 seconds, and so on.

Here it already is September 6, 2011 – the day after
labor day, the end of summer. The year of 2011 is almost over. 

What has been my journey in 2011?

What have I accomplished this year? 
Is my life different from last year?
Have I learned anything new?
Have I tried anything new?
Have I made progress financially? 
Is my coaching business achieving success?
Have I set and reached any significant goals?

Does this sound familiar to you?

I ask these questions of myself, because frankly,
I know that I am just putting one foot in front of
the other, traveling down the same path, following
the same habits and routines each day.

While in my head, I long for something  new and exciting,
     a new challenge,
     a new opportunity,
     a new journey.

I use the word journey because life is but a journey.

So while I can set and accomplish goals, my real joy
and meaning comes from the small steps, the actions,
the minutes lived each and every day.

I have a pattern I’ve used for years. I live in a somewhat
state of inertia, continuing along my path waiting for the
next big event to happen.  I plan endlessly for it,
look forward to it and then it happens and it is over.

So I start to think what is the next big event?

In the meantime, life is happening and time is passing me by.

I experienced a big event this year, 2011.

I turned 60.  It was a milestone for me for several reasons.
As usual, I began seriously thinking about this celebration
Easter week 2010, when I invited family and friends from afar.
This led to another layer of planning to the party celebration -
sleeping arrangements, transportation and entertainment for the
16 family and friends who said yes to an invitation to fly in from
PA, NJ, FL, and TX to the West coast to visit.

I had thrown a big gala for myself when I turned 50 and wanted
to surpass the success of that event. The last party was held at
 the Admiral Nimitz historic house on Yerba Buena Island overlooking
the bay toward Alameda. We had scrumptious food, white table clothes
with roses on each table, and a great dance band.
A good time was had by all.

So I distracted myself from committing to a working on my
coaching business by focusing on a simple party that was going to
last 6 hours. Luckily all of the time and effort paid off.

I threw an outstanding celebration for myself and good friend, Joey.
The party was held at a historic venue, the South End Rowing Club,
located in aquatic park, San Francisco. 96 guests joined us for great food,
our favorite house band – Doc Roc and he Disorderlies and stunning views
of the San Francisco bay and Golden Gate Bridge. It was a fantastic night.

As I contemplated reaching this age milestone, like many of my friends
who turned 60 before me and I set on a course of reminiscing.

I spent hours reviewing my calendars since 1982 thinking about my legacy so far.
I confirmed some thoughts I had about my history.
I led a life of: activities and actions – playing and enjoying over 30 sports
and outdoor enjoyment, living and teaching about sustainability and donating over
3,700 hours of community service to the four non-profits I worked with over the years.

So I have already created quite a legacy. But that is my past.

What will be my future?  I want my future to be with you.

Three years ago, I became a life coach because I believe I have the
compassion, skills and tools to inspire, empower and educate folks
on how to live a successful life, to live up to their potential,
to live with joy and meaning ---
     To make a difference for themselves, others and the planet.

I have read books, listened to CD’s,  attended lectures and learned very
valuable material and techniques which I am eager to put into practice
myself and to share with you.  

While my optimistic self says I can do this – I can inspire,
empower and teach myself and others to live their best life,
to follow their dreams, and their hearts desires.

My realistic, even pessimistic self knows I will experience roadblocks,
hazards, obstacles, challenges, frustrations, fears and just plain
old laziness along the way. But I will not be defeated, deterred or quit.

So I begin my new journey of living and self discovery.
What will your journey be?

I invite you to follow along.