Meditation.
I can’t really remember now when I started, it was one of those things I had always considered but never really got around to. In some respects it’s not really important. I’m reminded of the quote/proverb that goes – the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is now. All that really matters it that I started.
Now I do it everyday – normally first thing in the morning for at least 20 minutes. It’s a habit now.
Anyway.
I feel that in the last few weeks and I can’t emphasise this enough; I feel utterly different, just completely changed. Is that due to the fact I spend 20 minutes a day sat in the middle of my bedroom floor in half-lotus trying to focus on my breathing. I really believe it is. It’s the only thing that’s different in that time and it has impacted positively on so many different aspects of my life.
I keep doing things, mostly talking to people I don’t know, and then realising afterwards that in the past I wouldn’t have dreamt of doing it. I’m slowly losing that pause, that hesitancy behind the first step that I have always, always struggled to overcome. It’s not that I don’t worry, it just doesn’t occur to me to worry anymore (not all the time obviously). I feel like I’m spending less time overthinking things mostly because I’m too busy focusing on a single thing to do that. I’m calmer, more positive and I’m happy to admit just a little happier all round really.
And this is just the start.
(I think everyone should try it. It’s 20 minutes of your day, as a fraction that’s 1/72 of your whole day for what could be a really positive thing. You don’t need anything to start. You just need to stop and focus on your breathing.)
See also http://philosophistry.com/archives/2011/02/benefits-of-meditation.html
And http://lifehacker.com/5591576/a-guide-to-meditation-for-the-rest-of-us
May 15, 2011