For me, the Subtle Mind and Meeting Asclepius meditative exercises were the most beneficial.. Both of them had a very calming, soothing effect on my crazy mind. As I focused on my breathing, and the visualizations came to mind, it made my crazy world slow down, and I was able to gain a better perspective of my life in general.
To incorporate these "mental fitness" practices into my daily life, I plan to take 15-20 minutes out of my busy schedule to do these exercises. As a working mom who goes to school full time, I tend to put everyone else first, and forget that I'm only human, and end up driving myself crazy! And all the while, everyone in the house is telling me that I'm trying to take on too much, and that I worry about things too much. These exercises will help me to calm down and prioritize the items on my schedule, to where I can get the important things done, and put the unimportant things to the end of the list, or discard them altogether.
I enjoyed the Subtle Mind exercise as well as it really had a relaxing effect on my mind. I'm the same way, I always put myself last and worry about everyone else first, which is not always good! I have to start making time for myself so I can add these meditative exercises to my daily routine.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, I know exactly how you feel I am a single mom working and going to school full time as well and it very difficult to take that "me" time. I think it is important to remember that if we are at peace and we are happy so then will our children be. I really have a hard time with the breathing exercises intitially. I feel that I am becoming more proficient but I personally like to focus on the visualization as this seems to work best for me for some reason. I think this may be because I feel like I can mentally "sort" my priorities and thoughts if I visualize the place those concepts and ideas have in my life.
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa,
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you are realizing this now. It took me years and my children to get older before I realized that I don't have to be perfect and it's not selfish of me to make myself a priority once in a while. It's important for you to take some time to re-energize and these exercises are a great way to do that if you can get them to work for you. I liked the Aesclepius exercise as well it really worked good for me. Good luck with your busy life.
Heidi
I don't have kids but I do run a house and I feel as if I don't get everything done or ask for help it makes me weak or not successful. Then I find myself giving advice to a friend on how they need to delegate and ask for help! Why is it that we can give others advice about things like this but find it so hard to take our own advice, as if the rules don't apply?
ReplyDeleteI ask myself that same question all the time....lol.
DeleteTheresa,
ReplyDeleteI think all moms tend to put everything before themselves, sad but true, we want to make everyone else happy but we forget ourselves most of the time, I agree that we need to make the time each day whether it be a few minutes or an hour to do something, meditate, or something just for fun, we will become better people for this in the long run! Great post!