Since I could not sleep, I decided to try meditating...just for a few minutes. I actually meditate an hour every day, but I cheat (more about that in another post perhaps) so this time I wanted to truly try to meditate---you know, just focus on my breathe, nothing else.
While attempting to do this, it occured to me that all the things that really work for personal development are FREE! Of course there are many books, tapes, seminars, coaches, etc. out there that can--and do--help us; however, there are also many things that one can do with absolutely no monetary outgo. For example:
1. Meditation: The kind where you simplly focus on your breathe and continue to bring your mind back to your breathe as it wanders, which it will. Your mind, that is! If your breathe wonders, you have other issues! (FYI: After several attempts last night, I finally did meditate for about 8 minutes--and then I went quite peacefully to sleep!)
2. Deep Breathing: Again, focusing on breathe here. Count slowly to five as you inhale. Feel the air coming into your body, filling up your lungs. Count slowly down from five to one as you exhale, paying attention to the outgo of breathe. You may even say something for each inhale and exhale, such as "accepting" when inhaling and "releasing" when exhaling.
3. Walking: Another excellent form of meditation! Also a great way to get the creative juices flowing. And science has shown that it can actually boost our mood too. When I was lost and confused (I'm talking mentally and emotionally here. If I were physically lost, then I'd need a map or a GPS!) a simple walk around the block helped me see possibilities I could not while sitting at home. And oh yeah, let's not forget the obvious health benefits of this one!
4. Declarations/Affirmations: We all remember Saturday Night Live and, "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough and gosh darn it, people like me!" How hokey, I know, but affirmations really can work. Try saying them to yourself in the mirror. This is NOT easy, but very worth it. You may even want to try something as simple as, "Your Name, I love you." Or, "Good Morning! Today is going to be a great (awesome, excellent, unbelievable) day." In fact, you can even say something to yourself just before you go to bed, such as, "I will experience deep and restful sleep and awake tomorrow morning full of energy and ready to start the day." I've done this and it is often a self-fullfilling prophecy. But that's the point of affirmations. You say them enough, your brain believes them. So please, choose your words carefully and always speak positively--no negatives in declarations and affirmations!
5. Books: I mentioned books earlier as costing money, but they can be free too. Your local library is truly an awesome place. Check it out...they aren't as stuffy as they used to be. There are multitudes of titles out there to cover any area you yearn to understand or improve about yourself (maybe I'll do a post of my favorites another time). You can even get DVDs there too--movies, of course, but you can also try a new exercise DVD.
6. Journaling: Gone are the days of, "I caught Johnny looking at me during Social Studies class." Journaling can free us of burdens, light the way through murky waters and even help us figure out what step to take next. And there is no right or wrong way. That's the point: you just write. Whatever comes, just write it. If you do this regularly, you will be surprised at what you find out about yourself. If you don't want to use a pen and paper, use a pc--heck, you can even blog!
All of these ideas are things we must do regularly. If you try to do it all at once, you're setting yourself up for failure. So just try one. For a week. See how you like it. And, of course, they are all adaptable to what works for YOU.
These are trying times for many of us and finances are a large strain for many as well. Yet we cannot forget the importance of our own mental and emotional health. Now is the time to stretch ourselves and grow. What better way to do that than to take time for ourselves?
To Your Greatness,
KC-B
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