Find the time
I am a wife and a mother. I carpool. I cook and have a 50/50 chance that my family will actually want to eat what I make. I have a goal of training six days a week, but lately I’ve only been able to do three. I’m also building a business as a meditation teacher. I enjoy spending time with friends, but I can’t do it as often as I used to. But no matter what, I still manage to find time to be spiritual every day.
Sure, some days are better than others. But with a deep-rooted spiritual mindset, even my days off can feel like a real gift.
1. Meditation
Try to start with meditation every day, even if it’s just for a minute. This allows you to start your day from a place of peace, feeling more centered and grounded. Meditation has brought so many positive changes to my life, including less stress, more patience, better sleep, a deeper connection to my inner guidance system, and more compassion for myself and others.
I started my practice two years ago with eight minutes a day, adding a minute or two every few weeks. I now mediate for 20-30 minutes every morning, but time doesn’t matter as much as consistency. It is better to meditate for five minutes every day than for twenty minutes twice a week. But keep in mind that it is better to meditate twice a week than not at all.
2. Spiritual reading
Reading spiritual literature has become a valuable compliment to my daily meditation. I feel inspired every day when I read books like Holy Shift! by Robert Holden
And A Year of Miracles by Marianne Williamson. These books are written with the intention that the reader will enjoy one page a day so that they do not feel overwhelmed by devotion. It’s amazing how inspired you can be from just one page of deep writing.
3. Practice gratitude
Bring more gratitude in your life is a game changer. I firmly believe that the more gratitude you express, the more the Universe will offer you to be grateful for.
Here are a few simple ways to practice gratitude:
*As soon as you open your eyes in the morning, think of one thing you are grateful for. Maybe it’s just life, maybe it’s the sun shining through your window, or a loved one is in bed with you.
*Keep a gratitude journal. We have a family diary that we keep on the kitchen table. During dinner we take turns saying what we are grateful for and writing it down. It’s a great way to get the kids to appreciate the big and small things in life. I also keep a personal diary next to my toothbrush.
*I have an alarm on my phone every day at 3:00 PM to remind me to stop what I’m doing, take a deep breath, and spend a minute practicing gratitude.
I live in downtown Houston, so as much as I would love to walk on the beach or hike a beautiful mountain every day, it’s just not possible. I have learned to appreciate what I can get, and to be conscious when I am outside.
I now leave my phone on the counter when I walk my dogs and I’ve swapped scrolling Facebook for looking at the shapes in the clouds. I notice how the breeze feels on my skin, smell the freshly cut grass and stop to admire beautiful flowers.
5. Be open to signs from the universe
I don’t believe in coincidence, but I do believe in the synchronicity of the universe. When things “just work out,” I believe it is the universe showing us that it has our backs and is conspiring to make great things happen. Living with this vision ensures that truly positive experiences occur almost every day. Each sign feels like a gift
and let’s be honest: who doesn’t love presents?
6. Mindful breathing
There are so many ways you can incorporate quick breathing exercises into your life throughout the day. I often find myself doing breathwork at traffic lights, in line at the grocery store, and when my kids really push my buttons every now and then. I call it “hitting the pause button.”
With consistent meditation you become… less reactive and more responsive. I used to be very impatient, but now at the first sign that I’m feeling triggered I just “hit the pause button” and breathe.
Here’s a quick breathing trick that’s one of my favorites:
The Sweet 16 Breathing Technique
Inhale to a count of 4
Hold your breath for 4 counts
Exhale for a count of 4
Hold the exhale for 4 counts
Repeat 4 times