These last few days I have been crazy tired and decided to sleep in a bit. It has been delicious!
Yet, I have to admit, when I skip my regular meditation to stay in bed it takes me so much longer to get my bearings for the day and that sleepy daze takes a little longer to shake and get my focus going.
When I sleep in, I still have a meditation later in the day. But for me and my schedule and my personal needs, it is just not the same as the first-thing-in-the-morning meditation that I have cultivated.
So here is my new adjustment – keep my date with myself and stick to my regular scheduled early, early morning meditation time and then if I need to slip in a quick nap, I do.
Right now my minivan is my rockin’ nap machine. I grab a few winks while I am waiting to pick up the kids either at the bus stop or in the school parking lot before class gets out. (I’ve been a mom for over 16 years now and I assure you no one even looks twice if they see me napping in the minivan for ten minutes!!)
The discipline of sticking to my meditation plan is so so so worth it! But to be honest, I have to keep reminding myself that this is what I need to do.
A million more comfortable options present themselves. Actually, at 4:30 in the morning, only one comfortable option presents itself!
And if I get off track for a couple of days I can really feel it and every other aspect of my life is eager for the benefits of that early morning stillness.
So I tell you this because I need to remind myself. We all need encouragement and I am here to heartily encourage you to find the meditation time that best works for you and stick with it. And sharing this with you is an encouragement for me as well.
Having the support of others makes a huge difference – really it does! So thanks for helping me stay on track and let me know if I can help you, too!
Here are 3 good ideas to help you stick to your meditation plan:
1. Find a friend to help keep you on task. You do the same for your friend and each of you benefit from the support.
2. You can post your meditation plan right here (A little secret, once you make it public, there is a bit of accountability to stick to it.)
3. Schedule it in your planner – keep the appointment just like you would any other.
Give them a try and see what works best for you! Let me know how it goes…
xo,
Kathleen
“Sleeping In Is Delicious!” ~ I love to try and do this early morning meditation ~ I need a little more discipline ~ but I will get there ~ ♥ ♥ ♥ ~
🙂
My plan works well 5 days a week. I aim to set my phone timer to 6 minutes first thing. Prefereable before I open email. But on busy days I add to the day’s to-do list. On a hard day it’s nice to cross something off the list after just 6 minutes. On REALLY busy day’s I’ve tried a walking mediation while I run errands. Results were mixed:)
Hi Dan,
Wow, I like your plan – I find it is especially effective to do the meditation before email. Because we all know that once the email gets going…
I will remember to add my 5MM to my to do list because you are right, it is satisfying to cross something off on those relentless days!
Walking meditations can be amazing. Best suited without errands, but fresh air is always good 🙂
thanks!!!
K