At one time, I would’ve been really stressed out.

My work day involved several important tasks, layered with a high-level virtual visit and gathering and sending related documentation.
I realized last minute I hadn’t finished personal online paperwork, because I hadn’t taken a lunch break. So I squeezed it in and got out the door to my meeting in a neighboring community. The drive was actually nice, the sun shining and the snow melting.
Our paperwork went smoothly, and after a quick visit, I was back on the road, heading home to log in for a couple hours of rehearsal and script work for a community theater production.
Truthfully, I had a bit of a headache earlier in the week, and a colleague correctly identified it as stress.
Yet, it was nothing like what I once would have experienced.

Stress relief

What changed that kept me from being stressed out?
Me, for one. I’ve changed dramatically as a person. If you read this blog, you maybe have witnessed it.
Meditation, for another.
I’ve been meditating pretty consistently since October. In fact, I paid for the Chopra app to have easy access to short daily meditation sessions.
It’s helpful to have a little time each day when I sit, listen and don’t really think. Contemplate is a better word. Or observe.
Our minds are always moving, and mine’s great at creating scenarios that never would happen. Or replaying what did happen over and over to try and make sense of it.
Now I try to consider things I notice in myself to figure out why I do it, where it came from and if I want to keep it or change it.
Meditation helps me focus on a concept and consider how I relate to it. Sometimes I feel like I’m doing pretty well, and other times I recognize I have more work to do.
But even without that extra layer, the meditation is a quick way to relax and breathe. Most are about 10 minutes, soothing and guided. That means the narrator introduces a topic and leads the session, telling you when to close your eyes or take a deep breath, to visualize something or let something go.
I used to not be a believer. But then I did a little meditating, and a little more, and now I miss it if I don’t take or make time for it each day. I look forward to those moments just for me. Especially during weeks like this when it would be easy to be stressed out. Instead, I think I’m handling things pretty well.
This is a much better way to live and feel.
Namaste.

How to Be a Better Writer Tip

Use voice dictation

Sometimes, you don’t have time to sit at the computer and write, let alone put pen to paper. Use that device you carry everywhere: your smartphone. Open notes, click the microphone icon, and start talking. You can clean it up later. Don’t worry about spelling or odd voice text changes. You can get the basics down and make it shine when you edit it. Then, you can email it to yourself, and voila, you’ve got something started.