Type A Personality/Fast and Stop Speeds
I don’t know about you, but I was born an A personality, maybe because I was the oldest and only girl in the family. There are many other factors to consider, but I will spare you, you get the point. I have always hit the ground running and didn’t stop until bedtime, at which point I slipped under the covers and was unconscious within two minutes. I used to brag that I had two speeds, fast and stop. I was rewarded in the world for this. It sure came in handy while attending college full time and working three part time jobs.
Why isn’t this working for me anymore?
But somewhere along the line, I became snappy, tense and downright angry. I couldn’t figure out why. I had a pretty normal life with all the same stresses as everyone around me. I started to notice how pleasant it was to be with certain people, the ones who had a minute to chat over a cup of coffee. What was I doing wrong? My searching for answers led me to find a local meditation class, taught by a young professor from UNC. It was pretty simple to learn the technique, watching my breath, saying a “mantra,” (sound without specific meaning to distract the thinking mind).
This “should” be simple…
What was NOT simple was making myself stop twice a day for 10-20 minutes to do the practice. I could find a million excuses and things that urgently needed only my attention. When I did actually sit down to do my practice, my mind was racing with thoughts and it was NOT peaceful at all, as I thought it “should” be. I would have given up altogether, but I had a good friend, who had been meditating since age 13 yrs. (She actually learned from her parents!) She came over one time just to meditate with me and challenged me with these questions: Why can’t you simply be with yourself, Debra? Don’t you deserve to have some time to just relax and let everything go?
Then came the shift…
Long story short, I started to actually meditate every day. At first, just for 5 minutes, first thing in the morning, sitting on the edge of the bed, thanking God for a wonderful night’s rest and the opportunity to make a difference in the new day and just before bedtime to let the cares of the day go. It was only 10 minutes out of my life, no big deal, right? But it actually turned out to be a very big deal. Even though I didn’t notice any difference in my day to day life, people around me started to notice and even comment that I was less edgy, more relaxed and more focused during the day. How could such a small act create such a large impact? I didn’t understand why at the time, but I decided to extend the time period to ten minutes twice a day and gradually it became 20 minutes twice a day.
Successful results at last!
The results: I enjoyed greater creativity and flexibility in my thinking processes. In stressful situations, I found myself less reactive and more able to take my time and respond more thoughtfully. I also found myself able to complete a task without leaving things half done, as was my previous habit. These are just a few of the numerous benefits to the mind, body and spirit when you simply take the time to be still.
I hope this helps you understand why so many people are discovering this wonderful and simple practice to help you enjoy your life more fully and be more present in every moment. Life is short, don’t miss any of it.
Love and laughter,
Debra
Debra is a Certified Instructor from the Chopra Center of Well Being. She brings with her over 20 years of meditation and wellness experience.
Proof again that the most powerful things are also the most simple.
I am finding it to be true, too!
Converting? http://url.ie/cvwo?=praw