In a busy season?Why meditation belongs on your to-do list.

Hikers know where to put their eyes.  Put your eyes too far down a trail, and you trip on the obstacles right in front of you.  Keep your eyes on your feet, and your energy wanes because you don’t have a realistic view of the path to come.  Hikers are good at finding the sweet spot.

I’m struggling to find the sweet spot!  

In the next few weeks I have a backyard graduation party (complete with several days of out-of-town guests), and I’m closing out my school year.  I’ve got a huge to-do list and I’m struggling to find my footing.   

I keep imagining the happy faces of friends and family as they enjoy our grad party.  I think about summer, and how relaxation is within my grasp.  I see the finish line!  But looking too far down the path is causing me to stub my toes on small obstacles that I should be able to identify and step around.  I find myself both surprised and irritated when small problems pop up.  Not a good way to spend your day.

Then I overcompensate and keep my eyes on the present moment.  One step at a time, right?  But then I don’t have a realistic view of the work ahead.  I find myself working too long and too late, tired the next day and reaching for sugar and coffee and just plowing ahead again.  Also not a good way to spend your day.    

According to yoga philosophy, the key is “balanced awareness”.  Sure it’s motivating to imagine my finish line goals, but not to the point of daydreaming and fantasizing.  I need to be aware of the present moment to keep my feet on the ground.  On the other hand, focussing on one task at a time is smart but I don’t want to close myself off and fixate on this one task.  I need some level of awareness that this one task is part of a line of tasks along the path.  Yes, I have a lot on my to-do list but this is senior year and I want to enjoy the view.  Cultivating a balanced awareness is key.  

So how do we cultivate this balanced awareness? Meditation! One of the most important purposes of meditation is to create awareness. Meditation brings us into the present moment, making us aware of how our to-do list tasks are affecting our body and our emotions. It’s the a cold, refreshing, nourishing drink that we didn’t even realize we needed. Meditation also helps us see the bigger picture in a way that isn’t the same as daydreaming and fantasizing.

My favorite way to tap into meditation and mindfulness is silent hiking.  And guess what haven’t I put on my to-do list? I might not have time for long hikes right now, but I’m adding “15 minute silent walk” to my to-do list as we speak. I think I just found my sweet spot!   

Until next time, 

Laura   

Want more?

Meditation Explained (yoga trail talks)  

The Problem with “Keep on Keepin’ On” (yoga trail talks)