Regular, Average, Beautiful Day

This morning, I awoke 2 hours before my alarm.

 I was not excited, and I even ignored a lovely message left from my partner which read “you’re beautiful”. 

I recognized that I did not want to spend my day in such a mood 

so, I decided to reset my attitude by finishing the wonderfully informative and inspiring novel, "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin.  You should check out her book, or her blog for some practical steps to improve your attitude toward any aspect of your life. 

It was a great read, 

and I finished it within a week even while reading various texts for school.

My day ended up unfolding in a beautifully unplanned way.  

Something I did not expect when I awoke at 5:30am on a Monday.

How to Meditate

      1.  Choose a conducive environment. 

Find a nice, quiet place 

where you won’t be disturbed for fifteen minutes or longer. 

Sit down, relax and rest your hands on your lap. 

You can sit on the floor cross-legged with the support of a meditation cushion,

or on any chair with your feet resting on the ground. 

It’s not necessary to force yourself into a lotus position if you’re not used to it. 


Regardless of how you sit, it’s important to maintain the natural curve of your back. 

That means no slouching forward or leaning backward — either of which can strain and hurt your back. People with chronic back problem may find a kneeling meditation bench useful, especially for prolonged meditation.

       

      2.  Breathe slowly and deeply.

 Close your eyes softly. 

Begin by taking a few slow and deep breaths — 

inhaling with your nose and exhaling from your mouth. 

Don’t force your breathing. Let it come naturally. 

The first few intakes of air are likely to be shallow, 

but as you allow more air to fill your lungs each time, 

your breaths will gradually become deeper and fuller. 

Take as long as you need to breathe slowly and deeply.

       

      3.  Be aware. 

When you are breathing deeply, 

you’ll begin to feel calmer and more relaxed. 

That’s a good sign. Now, focus your attention on your breathing. 

Be aware of each breath that you take in through your nose. 

Be mindful of each breath that you exhale with your mouth. 

Continue focusing on your breaths for as long as you like. 


If you find your attention straying away from your breaths, just gently bring it back. 

It may happen many times. Don’t be disheartened.  What’s important is to realize that you’ve wandered and bring your attention back to where it should be.  As you develop greater focus power, you will find it easier to concentrate.

       

4.  Ending the session. 

When you are ready to end the session, open your eyes and stand up slowly. 

Stretch yourself and extend your increased awareness to your next activities. 

Well done! You’ve done it!

* I found this guide to beginners meditation at theconsciouslife.com, and it is a great method to get started!

Simple Gifts of Happiness

Recently, 

I discovered that sometimes, simple things 

can really brighten my day and lift my mood.

I have loved bunnies my entire life, 

and this time of year is like a gift from God.

Tiny bunnies everywhere, and I gain happiness for each one.  

I am lucky.

My sister has the same love for Pandas...  

Unfortunately she doesn't live in Asia, 

so she doesn't get this daily boost.

I am lucky. 

I am thankful that I can enjoy such pleasure in this little gift.

I don't question my endorphins or suffer embarrassment;

I accept each rush gratefully. 

I want to continue to recognize the many sources of happiness that surround me, 

and the people I love.  

I will strive to enjoy the life I am living right now,

instead of focusing on what I'd like to change, 

or what the future could bring.

If the natural world allows, 

I will enjoy spotting bunnies each spring and summer for the rest of my life, 

and so, I want to embrace the other daily joys that the Earth brings to me.  

So simple, so free.. 

whole and natural and good.

30 Day Challenge – Examining my Spirituality

According to many experts, it takes 21-30 days of repetition, dedication and conscious thought to begin to develop of a new habit.

In the past I have completed,

-> a Bikram Yoga 30 day challenge – I became almost addicted to the sweat, struggle and body transformation, easily leaning out my frame 20 pounds while toning up leg muscles…

-> a solid month of dedicated piano practice – the final weeks before an examination, I would spend hours working to improve my emotional and technical performance…

-> Over the past few summers I have completed summer courses toward my degree.  I am shocked each June when the professor fits a 4-month curriculum into a 4-week intense schedule.  I am also shocked each July when I notice my GPA is significantly higher than throughout the fall term...

But I have never strived to complete a 
30 day mindfulness meditation challenge.  
Nor, have I contemplated my spiritual outlook as a young independent adult.  As a kid I attended United Protestant services with my family, celebrated Christmas and Easter with commercial decorations and only said ‘Grace’ around my Grandparents.  Church was always more of a social commitment and I have never read from the Bible or given time to study the other important religious documents.

I have so many questions about the human mind, the physical world, our earths systems, cosmic expanses, energy transfers, multiple dimensions, 

etc. etc.

To calm my mind to better understand all things, I first want to develop a better understanding of my connection to all energies, 

I want to learn to meditate.

Starting today, I will commit to develop a practice each day. 

I may read books, seek input from others and try different strategies, but this challenge is a test of my strength and commitment..

A challenge tackled almost certainly produces happiness.
Join me?