Staying Centered When Life Gets Challenging
Are you feeling challenged right now? You're not alone!
As a collective, we're being faced with unprecedented twists and turns - physically and spiritually. It may feel like 2020 is an everything but the kitchen sink kind of year - and I would venture to say that that's because it is. And while this level of alchemy can lead to unprecedented physical and spiritual growth, I'll be the first to say that it can be exhausting, and at times, discouraging!
Are you wondering, "When do I get a break???"
Well, there's both good and bad news.
Starting with the "bad" - this is just the beginning. So, no, there won't be a return to our originally scheduled programming or a fixed moment in time to catch our breath. It will continue to ramp up and intensify.
And the "good" news? The challenges will get easier to face and overcome....so long as we commit to accepting responsibility for doing our inner work to bring more and more peace, harmony, love, and joy to our lives.
See why I put good and bad in quotations? For some, accepting responsibility to empower their life, to step into the driver's seat, and to steer one's life in the direction of their own choosing - is scary territory. It can be so counter to the way they've lived their lives that it can feel like jumping off a cliff into the abyss! And for some, realizing that they have the power to choose to not have their life get stuck on repeat, to constantly be able to learn and grow, and to know that their life - and all the choices they make - actually matter in the bigger picture… it becomes the blissful meaning of life.
And neither is right or wrong - both are part of everyone's journey through life!
It's the matter of perspective - and how you perceive - that makes all the difference.
So how are you perceiving? Do you feel clear or cloudy? Do you trust your inner compass or are you more inclined to trust others'? Are you taking in the big picture or being selective based on what's convenient or comfortable? These are all important questions to ask - and to answer honestly - in these times.
Because if your lens is smudged, cracked, or out of alignment it doesn't matter what you're perceiving or trying to perceive - it won't be clear. It'll be distorted and the information you get internally may not line up with what's really there externally. There will be a disconnect.
So is there a way to clean or repair your lens?
A way to clarify your connection to perceive more clearly?
Did you guess meditation? Gold star!
To be clear, I'm not saying that it's the only way. But it is a foundational way. Meaning that anything else you do to seek deeper discernment and more expansive perception will only be enhanced by a solid, existing practice of meditation. Societies all around the world used to make this a central pillar of their cultures, believing that a clear, uncluttered mind will lead to more productivity, more harmony, more effective communication, and more actualization of one's true potential that benefits the greater good.
And I believe that we're at a time when we need to revisit that.
So, on your marks, get set…..Meditate!
Simple Daily Gratitude Meditation
You can do this simple meditation before you start your day and/or when your day is done. Doing it for at least 5 minutes every day can help tremendously. But you can use it as much as you like throughout your day and for whatever length of time - Try it and see what happens for you!
Find a comfortable seated position and close your eyes.
Focus on your own breath and become conscious of your inhaling and exhaling.
Bring in the lightness of Peace as you inhale, and release the heaviness of Fear as you exhale. Reflect on how this feels for you.
Whenever your mind wanders to a worry, to something in the past or the future, or gets distracted or uncomfortable, be grateful. You can even think or say out loud, "Thank you."
Then bring your focus back to your breathing. Inhaling the lightness of Peace and exhaling the heaviness of Fear.
Repeat until you feel more grounded, centered and complete.
I hope you enjoy today's Gratitude Meditation - may it help to clean your lens and bring more peace and clarity to your perspective on life so you can keep your balance when the going gets tough!
