October 28, 2013

ISIQ-0291

“Our souls need time to think, dream, and reflect.” – Jo Ann Davis

How often do you stop? How often do you breathe? How often do you disconnect and let your mind settle?

By constantly staying “plugged-in” to the world via smartphones, tvs, movies, radios, headphones, tablets, computers, and so on, we are always bombarding our minds and consciousness with inputs.

After a while, the noise builds and there becomes a constant droning of white-noise and static in our heads that is difficult to turn off.

It can lead to insomnia. Fidgeting all the time. Reaching for our smartphone after being idle for less than 30-seconds. Checking email or social media constantly. An inability to concentrate for long periods. Procrastination. Fear of making decisions. Stress. Overwhelm. Anxiety. Depression.

STOP.

 

I’d like you to take a deep breath.

And now, take another.

There, that’s better, isn’t it?

 

Here’s the thing. We are not meant to be constantly plugged-in. Our brain needs time to process everything we experience.

As the ripples in a pond settle over time if left undisturbed, the waters of our mind need time and no new inputs to become still again. If we stay plugged-in, we never let our mind settle. We never stop dropping new ideas into the pond and creating new ripples throughout the texture of our mind.

It’s time to unplug. It’s time to let our minds recover from the myriad inputs we are now exposed to. I think it’s time to let our minds settle, and make being still a habit.

 

This morning, searching for an alternative launch-pad for the day, I changed up my routine. I went for a longer run – about 7km or so – and when I got home, I showered, had a quick green smoothie for breakfast, and instead of racing into the office, I sat on the back balcony of my house and meditated.

I did the cross-legged thing for a while, but to be honest my legs aren’t the most flexible at the best of times, and I was getting tight and sore after the run, so I uncrossed and simply sat still. I closed my eyes, and let myself breathe in and out. I focussed on my breathing, and I focussed on all the positive things that I’m grateful in my life.

I let my mind stay calm, empty, and quiet.

I set a timer on my phone for twenty minutes, so I wouldn’t fall asleep and stay out there for hours. It’s funny how long twenty minutes feels, when you’re simply breathing in and out. After the timer went off, I went in, grabbed more breakfast, drank a delicious coffee, and had one of my most productive days of the past month.

I am going to repeat this meditation exercise tomorrow, to see if the increased productivity is a coincidence or not. (My intuition is telling me it’s not a coincidence.)

Why don’t you take a little time today, unplug, breathe, and let your soul reflect on everything awesome in your life?

With love,
Israel. xo

 

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