One Thing You Can Do Everyday to Feel More Relaxed, Less Overwhelmed and More Joyful

Picture courtesy of Centerville Yoga & Wellness Center

  I was lying in bed and feeling the discomfort of early morning in knowing I had to get out of bed. I wanted to sleep in. But my clock read 6:08am and I just HAD to get out of bed, wake up the kids, make coffee and lunches, feed the dog, start a load of laundry, finish the dishes, check my emails, etc, etc., etc. 
Did that raise your blood pressure a little, just reading that? I know! I completely believe in getting things done, accomplishing, and being productive. But it can be overwhelming and certainly not relaxing. These are good qualities until they are not, and life becomes about moving through the motions and not really enjoying it. Sounds all good until moments turn into hours, hours, into days, days into years and here I am wondering why time is getting faster and how did my kids become teenagers when I still feel like 25 inside????  
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​Time keeps moving and it is up to you and me to take a moment and PAUSE. 

​Notice that I didn’t see “Just Breathe” or “Feel the Moment” because I think this word, PAUSE, encompasses both feelings. When you pause, you do breathe in, breathe out, and notice what is happening around you. And it can be in the middle of being productive, accomplishing, being creative, or however you spend your time.

And that is really the cornerstone of mindful meditation. 

You may be thinking, why if it’s so difficult to pause? And why bother? What is the point?  And the answer for me is this: Because I enjoy feeling life. I want to experience and grow. I want to be of service to others, help others on their life journeys. And I want to do it with the least “suffering” possible.  I would suggest that ALL people want to end their suffering. This is a joyful thing, a worthy cause to which to devote your life: to lessen your suffering and the suffering of others.

Being self-aware, observant, mindful in your moment, and taking that PAUSE-  is where it that opportunity lies.  Your ability to take your life to a possibly more fulfilling, joyful, less overwhelming place could lie in that PAUSE that we choose to take not just daily, but multiple times daily.

Try it and see. Even once in your day, perhaps before you get out of bed, say to yourself, “Thank you for one more day.” and then PAUSE and reflect in that moment. See what it does for you. I look forward to hearing your comments.

​Blessings,

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