Getting started with any new venture can be challenging and scary. If you are already experienced with some form of meditation, good for you. I encourage you to share your knowledge and experiences with others. But for those that are new, you could have many different feelings about the experience. Believe me when I say I totally understand, as there was a point in my life where I had no clue what the heck to do either. I had so many questions and felt awkward asking someone what seemed to be such simple things. I have heard lots of questions and excuses as to why people find it hard to meditate. I want to squash those myths and provide you with a few tips to make the experience that much more enjoyable.

In getting started, when is the best time to Meditate? – There is no perfect time, however, I find that either early morning, shortly after rising, or late evening, right before bed, are the best. Our body knows how to be still, we just have to give it the opportunity.

Is there a “right” way to sit? – The most important thing is being comfortable. You could meditate while lying in bed, however the position of lying down may trigger the body that it is time to go to sleep. An ideal is to sit comfortably with your feet touching the floor. This allows you the opportunity to really ground yourself.

My mind likes to wander! – It is normal for the mind to drift. Don’t judge when thoughts comes through, acknowledge them and let it be. If you find yourself thinking and focusing on a thought then just, bring your focus back to your meditation, you will soon slip back into the space between your thoughts.

I am not sure how to stay focused! – Focusing on your breath is a way to be in the moment and connect to spirit. We are not worrying about what we are going to have for dinner or feeling bad about the fight we had with our spouse last night. Our focus is on the present moment, here and now. Allow your your breath to flow easy and effortlessly.

How long should I meditate? The good news is that meditation does not have to take long. It can be shorter than going to the gym to workout. But in all seriousness, as little as 15 minutes per day to retreat and rejuvinate is beneficial. It is best to do a little bit each day.

Do I need to chant and make sounds? No you do not need to chant or make “om” sounds while meditating. You can be quiet and repeat a mantra quietly in your mind. However, all sounds have a vibration and as you practice you can enhance or create a different experience by tuning into the vibrational sounds of a chant, however it is not needed in order to experience the benefits of meditation.

I hope you are enjoying the free 21 day Deepak Chopra Meditation Series, if you missed it from last week, here is the link again for those that still want to jump on the bandwagon. https://chopracentermeditation.com/

Getting started with any new venture can be challenging and scary. If you are already experienced with some form of meditation, good for you. I encourage you to share your knowledge and experiences with others. But for those that are new, you could have many different feelings about the experience. Believe me when I say I totally understand, as there was a point in my life where I had no clue what the heck to do either. I had so many questions and felt awkward asking someone what seemed to be such simple things. I have heard lots of questions and excuses as to why people find it hard to meditate. I want to squash those myths and provide you with a few tips to make the experience that much more enjoyable.

In getting started, when is the best time to Meditate? – There is no perfect time, however, I find that either early morning, shortly after rising, or late evening, right before bed, are the best. Our body knows how to be still, we just have to give it the opportunity.

Is there a “right” way to sit? – The most important thing is being comfortable. You could meditate while lying in bed, however the position of lying down may trigger the body that it is time to go to sleep. An ideal is to sit comfortably with your feet touching the floor. This allows you the opportunity to really ground yourself.

My mind likes to wander! – It is normal for the mind to drift. Don’t judge when thoughts comes through, acknowledge them and let it be. If you find yourself thinking and focusing on a thought then just, bring your focus back to your meditation, you will soon slip back into the space between your thoughts.

I am not sure how to stay focused! – Focusing on your breath is a way to be in the moment and connect to spirit. We are not worrying about what we are going to have for dinner or feeling bad about the fight we had with our spouse last night. Our focus is on the present moment, here and now. Allow your your breath to flow easy and effortlessly.

How long should I meditate? The good news is that meditation does not have to take long. It can be shorter than going to the gym to workout. But in all seriousness, as little as 15 minutes per day to retreat and rejuvinate is beneficial. It is best to do a little bit each day.

Do I need to chant and make sounds? No you do not need to chant or make “om” sounds while meditating. You can be quiet and repeat a mantra quietly in your mind. However, all sounds have a vibration and as you practice you can enhance or create a different experience by tuning into the vibrational sounds of a chant, however it is not needed in order to experience the benefits of meditation.

I hope you are enjoying the free 21 day Deepak Chopra Meditation Series, if you missed it from last week, here is the link again for those that still want to jump on the bandwagon. https://chopracentermeditation.com/

As the hustle and bustle of BACK TO SCHOOL begins, there are definitely mixed feelings that arise. I love my kids dearly, but it will be nice to get back into the school routines again after a fun filled summer. With going back to school also comes all of the many last minute things that we are running around taking care of. Whether it is gathering school supplies, doctor and dentist visits, getting backpacks, first day of school outfits, haircuts, last minute paperwork and much more.

It is times like these when we can get so wrapped up in the business of work, life, etc… that we forget how we need to sit back, relax and be still. Sometimes just taking a few minutes to rest and clear you mind can be an amazing thing.

• Imagine if, you could feel a sense of rest and relaxation on a regular basis.
• What if you could create a deeper sense of joy and peace in your life?
• What if you could tap into unknown potential?
• What if you could reduce stress and create more energy?
• What if you could create the space for new ideas to unsolved problems?

I would like to recommend a suggestion that can reduce stress and create the opportunity for unlimited potential. Meditation. Deepak Chopra and Oprah have an amazing 21 day FREE meditation series that begins next week Monday entitled, Expanding Your Happiness. Meditation is truly an amazing way to connect to source and begin to listen to your inner wisdom. I have done 2 of the past series and am looking forward to expanding my own happiness this time around.

https://chopracentermeditation.com/

If you are new to mediation or are like many others and don’t have a clue what it entails, I totally understand how some of you may feel, I was in your shoes at one point as well. The great news is that this is an opportunity that is FREE with no obligations and is presented in a structured format that is simple and easy. Enjoy!

Stay tuned for future tips on how to make the most of our your meditation experiences.

How many of us really take the time to appreciate and recognize ourselves for our accomplishments (whether big or small). In the workplace, I hear all the time how people are looking for more recognition. The form of recognition looks different for each person, but at the core we are looking not just to be recognized for our performance, but rather being recognized for the amazing wonderful human beings that we are. We thrive on hearing words of support, encouragement and recognition, but how often do we take the time to feed ourselves and recognize our own accomplishments?

Today’s blog was actually inspired by a facebook post from a friend. She posted a comment and said she was away from her computer and wanted someone to look up nosebleeds for her in the Louise Hay book (You can heal your Life) to see what it said. As I looked up nose, it represents self- recognition.

Hmmm interesting thought. My sinuses started bothering me last week when I was in Colorado. It started in my throat and now my nose is really dry, stuffy and sore. I talk alot about listening to the wisdom of your body and this is a great example. I thought to myself, what wisdom is there for me to also be aware of here. I was so focused on my throat and what it was telling me, that I forgot to look up nose. What an amazing discovery. This was a great reminder for me to recognize myself and my own intuitive abilities.

How many of us really take the time to recognize and appreciate ourselves? How many of you can say that you recognize and appreciate yourself everyday? We are our own worst critic and usually beat ourselves down rather lift ourselves up.

Our tendency is to look outward and look for appreciation from others, because it always feels good when someone recognizes us, but how often do we really take the time to appreciate ourselves. What if you could take the time to honor, respect and appreciate yourself without looking for outward recognition. That would be an amazing step in our personal journey in this lifetime. Listed below are the excepts from Louise Hay’s book on the emotional cause of the physical symptom we are experiencing as well as some positive affirming statements we can say to ourselves if our body is trying to tell us something this this area.

Any disease, pain or ailment that shows up physically started out energetically or emotionally first. If we can listen to the cues that our body gives us, we can free ourselves from much pain and turmoil and live a life filled with ease and grace. I encourage you to take the time to recognize yourself today. Who knows, you could feel so great that you end up spreading that energy and recognizing someone else.

I encourage you to share something with all of us that you are proud of (no matter how big or how small). It can be anything! Take the time to appreciate yourself and then take that energy and pay it forward to someone else.