Gratitude Meditation

The power of Thank you... I have had a rough couple of days and I am glad that I have started incorporating meditation into my morning routine. Sometimes when my ADHD is in overdrive I feel overwhelmed and that I am going down the rabbit hole...

This morning when I was meditating, my mind was twirling and instead of having this positive experience and setting my day up for success, I felt defeated and crushed and the tears started flowing... I was hoping that meditation would center me, focus and help me climb out of the rabbit hole... but like I said I have had a rough couple of days.  Meditation was not working how I wanted or needed. In the middle of my crying session, I realized that even though my life was not how I wanted right now... I have an awful lot to be thankful for and that I am dam lucky.... Pity party over...

Then I found this article from Elephant Journal and it was exactly what I needed to read... How to PracticeGratitude Meditation - Oprah always promoted keeping a gratitude journal and change the lens you look at things to come from a place of gratitude, I am thankful and am dam lucky. Be open to all the world has to offer and realize I am surrounded by blessings.

Today I am thankful for my Dad and his financial wisdom. I am thankful for my children and the incredible people they are and becoming. I am thankful that when I asked for help... finally... that people have been more than helpful and my fears were not as powerful as I thought they were.

What are you thankful for?

Bridget

Meditation Challenge

My Meditation Challenge has continued to go well. I decided to go crazy and add 5 minutes to my meditation time! I know crazy, huh.... I have made some adjustments but I think that is the idea of the whole thing, to do what works for me so I will continue and challenge myself.

1. I meditate first thing in the morning. I feel this is a nice way to start the day and set myself up for success. Right now meditating first thing is easier for me because it is summer time. I am hoping that this challenge will help me make meditating a habit and when the pace of life speeds up in the fall this will part of my ADHD strategies.

2. I do continue to listen to music with headphones... That I have discovered is a non-negotiable for me. By blocking out the noise of the world, I can concentrate on my breathing.

3. It is harder than I thought.... but I have started to really see some positive benefits. I feel my focus has increased, don't get me wrong my mind is still like a pinball machine, but I can reel it back in easier now and have become more aware of my wandering mind. My patience has increased and I feel more at peace. I like starting off my day on a positive note and grounded.

Daring to Live Fully  has a great post 10 Practical Tips for Creating a Meditation Habit it is def worth the read!

Like this post if you are trying to live your life to the fullest!

Bridget

Meditation Challenge Day 5

Day 5!
    I am still at it and for me that is a huge accomplishment. I think dedicating myself to meditating and writing about it in this blog has helped keep me accountable. I must admit it is easier for me to settle in and begin to meditate now. However, my focus and thoughts are still like a pinball machine. So, I found some good advice from Meditation Oasis. This site has podcasts for a variety of meditation topics, a blog and some wonderful resources on meditation that are written with the novice in mind. One particular post caught my eye, Difficulty Meditating. Ahhhh, so I am not alone in feeling this way.

     1. Problems with thoughts in meditation:
         I think I just needed someone to tell me that it was okay for my thoughts to be still firing on all cylinders! The more I tried to stop my thoughts, the more dominate they became. Now I can just let them go and eventually they will slow down and I can concentrate on my breathing.

     2. Restlessness:
         Sitting still and quiet and my ADHD sometimes do not get along the greatest. I do get restless and want to stop at times, but today I acknowledged the feeling and continued with my meditation.

     3. Being uncomfortable with our feelings:
         This has not happened to me yet, I am still learning how to be comfortable with meditating!

     4. Disappointed that "good experiences" aren't always there:
         I am still working on the basics of meditation, for me it has all been good experiences. Even when I am not sure of exactly what I should be doing or feeling, I am open to the process and am hopeful of the results.

Stay focused and have a fabulous day!

Bridget