Finding My Zen

Science has proven time and time again that meditation is beneficial to one’s health. (Check out this article from a Harvard physician for one perspective).

Unfortunately, many people have a hard time meditating. I can’t tell you how many people say to me… “I just can’t get myself to meditate!” with excuses like: “No time;” or “I’m constantly interrupted;” or “I just CAN’T quiet my mind.”

I understand those excuses all too well. Because, you may find this hard to believe, but I’m one of those people. I have a hard time meditating. Or, at least I did.

Like many of you, I become overwhelmed by my to-do list. Between keeping a watchful eye on my inquisitive toddler, throwing a load of laundry in the wash, picking up my little one’s (and my BIG kid’s aka my hubby’s) toys, feeding and taking care of the dogs, doing readings, writing, teaching, not to mention showering and eating… it can be hard to find ten minutes, let alone a half hour to meditate.

To fit the meditation in, I tried meditating before bed. That didn’t work as I found (like many of you!) I would end up falling asleep. Or sometimes worse, my mind would become so active with the messages I would receive I’d drift off into a lucid dream. This allowed me to process A LOT and receive LOTS of messages. Downside? I’d wake up more tired than when I went to bed, as if I’d just ran a marathon. THAT DIDN’T WORK!

In another effort, I thought… maybe I’d try meditating before I got out of bed. That was an epic fail as well. Unfortunately, as soon as my pups feel me stir they are ready to be pet. Go to the bathroom. AND, most importantly, be fed. Meditating between the nudges and licks to the face, not going to work.

AND… it wasn’t just the dogs. My daughter definitely has a sixth sense (or perhaps just super human hearing). Because like the dogs, as soon as I stir it’s only moments before I hear her start to whimper. That whimper turns into a babble… and then, if I make her wait too long an “I’m hungry. I want my diaper changed AND I want to play” complaint. Again, not something that is easy to meditate while going on.

Fortunately, (after a little trial and error) I’ve found the one place I can slip into that meditative state.

In… the... KITCHEN!

I love to cook. (And, I’m pretty good at it if I do say so myself). In my opinion there is something relaxing and meditative about chopping, peeling, stirring, and measuring. It brings me to my “zen” place. Before baby, I enjoyed my Sunday afternoons when I would whip up a bunch of food for the week. Now, after baby, I have the bonus and having to do it every day! And whether it’s scrambling eggs, chopping and baking zucchini, or peeling of apples to make apple sauce, my mind wanders. A peace and happiness comes over me.

And I receive messages, for ME! My guides talk to me. They encourage me. They send their love. And, sometimes even give me a glimpse (albeit small) into my next steps.

So rather than viewing it as another tedious chore, I look forward to making breakfast for my husband and daughter. And, I look forward to getting our crop share from Becker Farms each week filled with in-season fruits and veggies, knowing I’m going to need to spend time in the kitchen preserving the fruits and veggies not only for the week, but for the rest of the year. I look forward to it because I know I’ll get my meditation in.

I’ve shared with you my meditative spot. Where is yours? 

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