I realized this morning that all that stuff that my mom used to say to me (which mostly I dismissed as ‘nagging’) was actually pretty smart stuff. Many of the things I teach in my meditation classes really can be summed up in a few ‘mom’isms:
Sit Still. Well, mom was usually saying it in the context of stop fidgeting so much but it really makes a lot of sense when you think of it. Good advice to help us slow down. Sit Still – You don’t always have to be busy. Spend at least 5 minutes a day in silence. Just observe your breath. Anytime your mind wanders just come back to the next breath. Five minutes a day really can change your life.
Go to your room! Again, mom likely meant this in a slightly different context than I’m using it now… but it’s useful advice nonetheless. When establishing a meditation practice it’s important to actually designate a special place for your meditation. Fill it with things that inspire you. You’ll find that you’ll want to be in the space and it will be easier to ‘practice’ your meditation. It’s like your own personal sanctuary.
Turn off the TV! In moderation TV can be a source of entertainment, but watching TV can also be a way to zone out and avoid things in your life. Or worse…it can actually create more stress. Have you watched the news lately!? Good grief. It seems there’s nothing but negativity. Ask yourself how much time you spend each day watching TV. See if you can cut that back and replace it with something a little more positive (like…say meditating for 15 minutes!)
Mind your manners – Mom was likely trying to teach me that “please” and “thank you” go a long way and that it pays to be polite. The same is true today. Be kind. Have some compassion for others.
Clean your room! Get rid of the clutter in your life. This can be literal – as in the stuff that falls out of the closet every time you open it, or figurative as in the stuff that clutters our minds. Get rid of the stuff that doesn’t serve you.
Go play outside!! There’s nothing like being in nature to figure out what’s really important. Go to a park, sit by the beach and be present while you’re doing it. (that means don’t go for a walk in the park and miss the experience because you were too busy thinking about all the bills you have to pay, replaying the argument you had with your spouse that morning, etc…) Be present. Being in nature really puts everything into perspective. It’s in nature that we come to know our true nature (and incidentally…it’s not to be connected to a computer, juggling a million different things at once.)
If you don’t have anything nice to say…don’t say anything at all. More great wisdom from mom. At the time she was likely referring to the names I was calling my sister and brother (sorry Natalie and Darrin!) but I’m referring to negative self talk. Think about all the negative messages we tell ourselves. How many times do you give yourself negative messages like-I’m not good enough…I’m not worth it…I’m too fat… etc… Begin to notice how often this voice comes up…each time you notice it…replace it with a more positive message. I can do anything I want, I’m worth it..
Don’t eat so fast – choose 1 meal a week to eat mindfully. That means NOT while driving, on the computer, on the phone, standing in the kitchen… Experience your food with all your senses. You’ll enjoy it more and the added bonus is that you won’t eat as much… Think of it as the meditation diet!
And last…but not least. There are people starving in Africa – likely this was in reference to the unfinished broccoli or cauliflower on my plate at dinnertime, but the reality is…everywhere in the world there are people starving, people experiencing great loss, people in pain. Again, a good reminder to be compassionate and to be grateful for what you have. We have so much to be thankful for.
