Invite Stillness into your Day through Meditation- by Vicky Westra

Our lives can become so busy with the day in and day out activities that we either have to take care of or choose to spend our time doing. Sometimes, this leads to feeling like we are on a hamster wheel going through the motions, but not really taking time to just be still. I often have to remind myself that I am a human BEing instead of a human DOer.

For most of my life, I’ve been a type A personality and so my tendency has been to jump into the day and start doing, before really spending time in prayer, meditation and reflection. At the end of the day, I often felt exhausted or like my day didn’t really go the way I would have liked.

Since embracing the practice of meditation many years ago, it has made a significant shift in my life. I remember at one time thinking “I don’t have 15 minutes to dedicate to this practice”. Now, my attitude is that I can’t afford not to set these 15 minutes aside to be still, that’s how much benefits it’s brought into my life.

Some of the benefits of mediation include:
Increasing self-awareness
Receiving clarity or inspiration (especially in things you are seeking an answer to)
Being present (instead of thinking about the past of worrying about the future)
Building a skill that helps you manage stress
Increasing your imagination and creativity

It has done these things and so much more! My husband has embraced this practice as well and it’s made a big difference in his anxiety level as well as keeps him from experience any depression (which has been a common diagnosis in his family)

When people think of meditation, they sometimes think about a monk meditating for hours or even the full day. The great news is that just 15 minutes a day is all you need to start your day off on the right foot!

Slowing your thoughts down by focusing on your breath is something you can do in your home or really anywhere (breathe in to the count of 4 and then breathe out to the count of 4). For those that like to focus on a sound or someone guiding them through a meditation, there are lots of apps such as Simply Being, Calm or Headspace that are available for download.
Another way to find various forms of meditation is to search on YouTube or Google and there are literally thousands to choose from. Experiment and find what’s right for you!

I encourage you to embrace this practice if you haven’t already done so! It can help Shift your life in so many great ways!

In Love and Joy,

Vicky Westra