I am reluctant to write about this, because I know the way that I thought 182 Days Ago. At that time, I was in a mode where my brain would not shut off. I had difficulty sleeping, I had some minor anxiety spells where I would dwell on a mistake I made for far too long. I also had a tendency to get overwhelmed by decisions that loomed over my day. I still have these problems – but now I have a tool to deal with them. That tool is meditation.
There are many of you, who were just like me. As soon as you just read that you shut off. That hokey stuff is not for me you just thought. That is where I was at. Many of you maybe of the Christian persuasion, and you may have just classified meditation as some ritualistic behavior intended for Buddhists, Hindus, and New Age Yoga freaks. I have come to the realization that I (and possibly you) were just simply mistaken.
Meditation is a powerful tool to overcoming the mind. When I refer to mind, I am referring to the active part of your brain and also the many areas of your body that trigger impulses. You may have experienced how meditation can help free you from being over indulgent in listening to this part of your mind, but if you have not, perhaps you should give it a try.
After being persuaded from others, I finally decided to give it a shot. I did nothing special. I just found some beginner meditation exercises on Audible, then YouTube and some apps (there are several). You will be astonished at just how big the meditation world has become. There are many different camps of meditation practitioners. I would not worry about all of that, but I would highly recommend experimenting with the concept of spending a few minutes in the morning, at night or both practicing the ability to clear the mind, to focus the mind and to overcome your anxious busy thoughts.
I have done this everyday now for 182 days in a row. I cannot say that I have been perfect, sometimes it has just been counting to 10 as I slowly breathe in and out. Other times, it has been an hour of sitting quietly listening to soft music and trying to just simply relax. I do not have time most days to really invest, but sometimes I do. I look forward to those days now, almost in the same manner that I would look forward to a favorite streaming episode on Netflix. You appreciate the times when you can shut down, which is probably why we watch shows like we do. However, why not completely shut down? Why let some hollywood producer fill your mind with violence, anxiety, drama, and other concepts when you could be really taking a break? You might think it is ridiculous now, but try it for a few weeks in a row and see what happens.
The impact on me has been profound. It is almost funny. I used to get all spun up when I experienced conflict. Now I decide to wait a few days to see what happens. I used to get really discouraged when something bad happens, now I just take a deep breath and figure out how I can learn from the experience. I used to go to bed a nervous ball of negative or positive energy, now I go to bed relaxed. I used to start each day anxious. Now I start each day, calm and ready to focus my energy on what is important.
Like the concept or not, meditation works. Whatever your preconceived notion of the practice is, you have to realize that the act of just relaxing in a mindful state can be accomplished in many forms. It does not have to include drums, incense, colorful robes and mountain tops. It can simply be you, taking a moment out of your day to focus on you inner self and practice the art of overcoming mind.
Guy Reams (417)
365 Alumni
96 Days Left to 1st Marathon
