If you’re juggling responsibilities at home and work, it can be difficult to carve out time to sit down and meditate. Especially if you work from home! While you’re trying to organize your days, you can still start living more meditatively right now. Let's talk about ideas for building more reflection and mindfulness into your routines, but first, why should it matter?
The Benefits of Living Meditatively
1. You will Increase your peace of mind. Even brief periods of meditation help to clear your mind of nagging concerns and pointless regrets. You’ll soon feel more relaxed and at ease. With your mind at peace, you can still feel content when you miss the last bus or lock your keys inside your car.
Remember, getting upset over a situation does not give you any more control over it. Understanding and practicing this will help you problem solve with a clear head.
2. You will accomplish more. Clarity of mind enhances your thinking and decision making. You manage your time effectively and achieve more with less effort.
3. You will be happier. Once you start living meditatively, be prepared to smile frequently and feel more optimistic. The kindness and affection you offer to others will be returned to you many times over. Happiness is contagious!
The Basic Principles of Living Meditatively
1. Slow down. Do you feel like you are being swept along by external circumstances and obligations? Moving at a more leisurely pace enables you to take control. Set priorities and think strategically about how you want to allocate your resources. Don't be afraid to communicate this to your partner or friends.
2. Focus your attention. It’s easy to wind up being pulled in multiple directions. Set aside distractions and give your full attention to one task. You're only human. It's not fair to expect too much from yourself. Challenges are healthy, but strive for quality over quantity.
Quality > Quantity
3. Observe your surroundings. Extend your awareness outwards. Appreciate the beauty of nature. Seize opportunities to make a new friend or acquire a valuable career skill.
4. Let go of expectations. Expectations can undermine your happiness. Realize that much of life is uncertain, but you can shape your experiences by how you decide to respond to events. Resolve to learn from your mishaps and persevere through discomfort. Remember, discomfort is how we grow.
5. Generate compassion. There is company in adversity. Reach out to an acquaintance or coworker who looks like they need a helping hand. Validate the struggles of others and wish them well. The energy we put out in the world is often reciprocated.
6. Express gratitude. Write up a list of the many things you have to be thankful for. Post it somewhere you can see it each morning. Tell others how they bring more joy into your life and help you to build your character.
Applying Meditation to Routine Activities
1. Take care of your body. It’s easier to meditate when you keep your mental and physical health in shape. Eat nutritious foods and exercise on a regular basis. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. See your doctor for regular checkups. Remember, no one will do this for you. You are your own responsibility.
2. Strengthen your relationships. Living and working with others often creates some of our most challenging and rewarding experiences. Mindfulness can help you to be more patient with your children and closer to your spouse. You may discover new solutions for resolving conflicts with coworkers.
3. Do meaningful work. Meditation is also good for your job satisfaction. Consider how your current position aligns with your values and talents. Take on new projects to learn what tasks give you the greatest sense of fulfillment.
4. Serve your community. Give back to your community through your work and leisure activities. Living meditatively will show you that kindness and generosity are highly gratifying.
You can benefit from meditation even when you’re under pressure to complete a sales report and pick your kids up from daycare. Living mindfully is a gradual approach that will help you to focus your mind and open your heart.