My New Tortoise Manifesto

The combination of the death of one of the friends I grew up with, a post from my online friend, Marcus Baker about time management, a post I read about creating albums of hope and a conversation I had this past weekend with my son have got me thinking about the way I spend my time.

I have come to the conclusion that some things have got to change around here!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Problem: Thinking that there is a fire I must put out or I will never ever EVER succeed. That I’m in some kind of race against time that I can only win if I exhaust myself and ignore my family.

The Solution: What I absolutely MUST make plenty of time for immediately…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sleep

I have some health challenges that I know would benefit from my getting quite a bit more sleep than I often do.  And I know that the problem is working into the night and then, needing time to wind down after I finally drag myself away from the computer.

When I am able to stop and wind down sooner, I go to bed earlier and I get more sleep. It’s as simple as that. Only not so simple, so far, or I would have done it.

Spirituality

I don’t know about you, but I need guidance to navigate my life, and I have been sorely neglecting this part of my life. I need to spend regular, connected quiet time, retreat time, tuning in and recharging.

I am very intuitive but don’t make very good use of that gift or ability for myself and my life. Journaling often leads to insight but I just don’t take the time to do it.

Scrapbooking

Occasionally, it dawns on me, that I have not said all the gentle, loving things that are in my heart. And I truly want to leave a legacy of love that does not depend on my family’s ability to remember. I want it in writing for everyone to see. In pictures, in layouts, in loving phrases and books and albums dedicated to each of them.

I say this and I know this, but I haven’t completed a family scrapbook in at least two years. I created a mini-scrapbook for my son for his birthday a year or so again and the theme was “top ten things I love” about him. But I need to do more of this kind of thing.

Family

My son complains constantly about the computer and the time it steals from him. He tells me at least every other day that he misses me and we are in the same house!

What I want to do, in addition to the homeschooling that I do during the school year, is spend two hours of family time every day just hanging out, watching TV, talking, cooking together, reading, etc. But that will never happen if I don’t make time for it.

Reading

I regularly sacrifice time for me to work chores. Those chores feel important but are not really urgent. And I just am not wired for the kind of pressure I place in myself. I need to slow down and make sure there is time for the things I enjoy.

Tea Time

Sitting outside on the balcony with my book of tea. Looking up from the book I’m reading as I sip my tea and glance at the trees blowing in the wind. Making tea for my son in between meals or during breaks from homeschooling so we can just enjoy a moment together.

These are the things I have neglected for the past couple of years. It’s time to find my way back!

Yes, I still have a business to build, a career to create, a blog to maintain, but I have to really let it sink in that I am the tortoise, not the hare. 

Does this post remind you of ways in which you have you neglected yourself? What changes seem to be calling your name?

Update on the Meditation Challenge: I Totally Bailed!

Mmmhmm, yes I did!!

I was hanging in there for about the first couple of weeks and then, I don't know what happened, but I just stopped making time for it. I kept thinking I would have to catch up when I went back to it and then, never did.

My hope is to find ways to meditate on my own. I've gotten busier, though, I guess, because I often even drink my tea while doing other things. Sigh. I need to slow down, again!

How have you been doing with tea and meditation?

Jeanine

21-Day Meditation Challenge: Week One

"Know that resistance is only a thought and that whatever reason comes into your mind about why you don't have time to meditate, it's not really the truth. You can release that thought and give yourself the gift of your daily meditation practice." –Chopra Center

Not too late to get started! Here’s where you can register: 21-Day Meditation Challenge.

This has been a good week and I am pleased to be doing this challenge, because I am hoping it will help me relax at a deeper level and really deepen my connection to my soul and spirit, to God and to the universe.

This week began with setting an intention for the 21-day meditation experience and with exploring the physical realm. After each day’s meditation, there are three online journal questions you can answer which will be stored for you to access at any time under the heading "my journey."

If you do decide to participate, share your thoughts here in the comments or on my 21-day meditation challenge Squidoo lens.

Here's an introductory video from the registration page...

The Spring 21-Day Meditation Challenge Starts TOMORROW! Here's why...

"We're so pleased you've made the decision to join us on this powerful journey that will change your life. We know you're eager to get started, and so are we! We're almost there . . . In an effort to make this the best experience possible, the Spring 21-Day Meditation Challenge™ will now be a more simplified, interactive experience that allows for easy streaming on all operating systems and devices, including iPad, iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. To bring you this new technology, we're refining some aspects of the experience, and as a result, Day 1 of the challenge will now begin on Wednesday, April 13. We're sorry to keep you waiting, but it will be worth the short wait. Please watch your email Wednesday for further instructions to begin your journey."

This is what I received in my inbox this morning, so I'll be back tomorrow...

See you then!
Jeanine

21-Day Meditation Challenge: Day One

This challenge came along just at the right time! I am a night owl, and I have been working on getting up earlier for about a month now, but my goal is to get up even earlier than I have been. So today, I got up half an hour earlier in order to do this challenge and my plan is to do so for the next 21 days, long enough to make it a habit, and then, hopefully, I’ll continue.

Unfortunately, I didn’t receive anything in my inbox this morning to get started!

So my son and I drank our chamomile tea and then, found a Chopra Center meditation online to do. Hopefully, the right video will come along sometime today and if not, we’ll try again, tomorrow.

NEW 21-Day Meditation Challenge Begins TOMORROW!

"Get ready to discover the untapped potential that rests within you, opening your gateway to true freedom, extraordinary bliss, and the life of your dreams!" ~~Chopra Center

About the Challenge

I first participated a 21-day meditation challenge in August of 2010 and am excited to do it again this spring. Want to join us?

Those who sign up will receive a daily email with a guided meditation (isn't that cool?), a message and tips for helping you meditate. But even if you don't sign up, you still can participate because I am posting the links here. It is totally free and designed for beginners (or backsliders) to help us develop a meditation ritual.

My Experience with the Fall 21-Day Meditation Challenge

I participated every day and loved it. I shared results here and also posted on the 21-day meditation challenge Squidoo lens. If you participate this time, you can share your results there as well.

Meditation Teleseminar

During the 21-day meditation challenge I took in August, the whole thing began w/ an introductory teleseminar. There may be one this time and if so, they will notify you by email once you register.

This teleseminar focused on the practice of meditation, including:

The power of meditation to connect us to expanded states of awareness
The latest scientific research on meditation
Common myths about meditation
How meditation relieves stress, anxiety, and depression
Why meditation helps slow the aging process
Developing your own daily meditation practice
Meditation as a profound tool for accessing your inner wisdom
A special offer to attend the upcoming Seduction of Spirit retreat
An invitation to join the 21-Day Meditation Challenge and more!

from the Chopra Center

If you click on that link, you may find a recording of that teleseminar.

All-New Spring 21-Day Meditation Challenge

Here's where you can register for the 21-day meditation challenge that's just about to start. You'll receive notification of all that you can expect from the challenge in your email once you sign up.

I will be posting here about my experiences during the next 21 days at least once a week, maybe twice. If you blog about it, too, leave me a link in the comments.

Happy New Year!

I have sorely neglected this blog but have been posting, here, instead.

Feel free to find me there or look around at what I have left behind for you on this blog.

Love, warmth and peace to you this year!

Jeanine