Monday Morning Match is a simple post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.
When Was the Last Time You Did Nothing?
This past weekend I hit a milestone. I meditated for the 1,000th day in a row. Yesterday was number 1,001. Today it will be 1,002. I’m hoping that now that I have reached “four figures” I can simply forget about the days in a row as I spend 5-10 minutes each day trying to forget about everything else.
I have been meditating for longer than 1,001 days but this has been my streak over the last two+ years using the Headspace app on my phone. Each day I have intentionally carved out a few moments – anywhere from 3-20 minutes at a time – to sit quietly, breathe deeply, and try to not to think. And that’s the hard part.
If you’ve never tried to meditate, you think it’s about sitting in a chair or on the floor and clearing your mind of all thoughts. Once you start meditating, you realize you can never really clear your mind of all thoughts but you can quickly catch yourself thinking and aim to have a few seconds of nothing running through your mind. It might only last a few seconds before something crosses your mind or it could be a few minutes where all you are doing is breathing. Meditation is simply about being present. Focusing on the now, not worrying about the past or thinking about the future.
There are plenty of other apps you can download such as “Calm” or “10% Happier” but Headspace has been the one that works best for me. Andy Puddicombe is a former Tibetan Buddhist monk and the co-founder of Headspace. He is also a graduate of the Conservatoire of Dance and Drama with a degree in Circus Arts. Teacher, Author and TED Talker, Andy is the voice of all things Headspace. There is now something about Puddicombe’s voice that makes me feel calm, feel focused, and feel present.
Turn Down the Noise; Turn Up the Clarity
In a world where many people feel anxious about being anxious, what would happen if you could quiet the noise every once in a while? Maybe it’s only for a few moments, but that’s a start.
Slow down. Take a deep breath. Try not to be in such a hurry.
We live in a fast-paced, noisy world. We react to beeps, clicks, pings, and vibrations throughout our day, feeling the overwhelming need to respond to people or circumstances within seconds, regardless of the importance or urgency of the interruption. Sure, it’s great to be the first one across the finish line but we must remind ourselves – not everything we do is a race.
Breathe in deeply through the nose. Exhale through the mouth. Feel the breath filling your lungs. Feel the body soften as you breath out. Acknowledge the thoughts as they occur and then simply refocus on your breathing.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Shut your eyes and allow your thoughts to disappear. It becomes easier the more you allow yourself to let your thoughts disappear.
As you sit there in silence, seeking to gain a better clarity for the present moment, relax know that the relationships will still be there to be built, the problems will still be there to solve, and the fun will certainly still be there to be had…when you’re done taking a moment to lose your mind.
And then, when you’re ready, you can open your eyes.