Hello folks!
I’ve been pretty busy lately and that being so, it’s been difficult gathering my thoughts intelligibly enough to even consider writing a blog; but I think I’m just about ready.
So the dominant question (being that there are many) that’s been floating around in my head: How do you manage time. That is, how do you manage your time in a way that you can still nurture yourself, while fulfilling all the obligations and duties you have to the outside world? Can someone living in a fast paced urban environment even consider this a possibility? Many would argue on both sides of the fence, and both, at some points, would be right.
Finding the balance between inner peace/health and outward sustenance is absolutely crucial to the success and health of all individuals. The common issue with this though, is how to find ways for nurturing the soul self. Not everyone is an artist (meaning all media) and not everyone has some cute little hobby that gives them joy (like collecting stamps). Yup. Stuck in a bind. But lo and behold, there ARE other ways to find that much needed channel for inner peace. It’s called meditation.
Now when I say meditation I don’t mean you have to pull some yoga guru business and sign up for the next class. Meditation simply means taking time out to still your Self. To give your mind, body, soul a moment to relax and take in the calm.
med·i·ta·tion (noun) [med-i-tey-shuh
the emptying of the mind of thoughts, or the concentration of the mind on one thing, in order to aid mental or spiritual development, contemplation, or relaxation
Meditating can be as simple as finding a quiet space, closing your eyes, breathing slowly and just listening to the sound of silence… or putting on some relaxing music and reading a book, cooking your favorite meal, sitting in a comfy chair and reviewing all your thoughts without emotional attachment (this definitely takes practice... yoga anyone?!), or just doing something peaceful that instills you with a sense of wellbeing or better perspective. For me, it’s a variety of things. I write poetry, sing, paint, listen to music, do yoga, read other peoples’ poetry, drink herbal teas while doing all things listed ((I LOVE chamomile)) and even taking care of my locs has become a form of meditation! (This is something that I learned from another woman’s beautiful holistic health/beauty/creativity blog. Check it out here: http://www.holisticlocs.com/ )
Case in point folks: take time, no matter if it’s 10 minutes or 3 hours, to nurture your soul self. You will feel your vitality being restored, even if it’s just a tad more energy or making a stressful day a little more bearable. It’s a benefit and principle of yoga to meditate for a reason. When you have mastered the ability to control your mind, to calm it at your will, you have greater ability and success in objective thinking, establishing calm in tumulus situations, and maintaining peaceful relationships with others.
Questions to ponder…
What do you enjoy that is constructive?
What brings you joy in most of your days?
How can this be utilized in nurturing your soul Self?
Peace.
