Day 1 of Seven Days of Gratitude #MeditationMarch

March 4, 2018dayleeo

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Today was my first day focusing on aspects of Gratitude in a daily meditation practice. I’m excited to see how this week goes!

I started off by doing about 30 minutes of yoga. Typically I wouldn't have this requirement but due to the mast winter storm of the past few days we’ve been mostly stuck inside and my body he bee starting to hurt after all of the sitting time. — Really looking forward to a swim tomorrow in order to keep tings loose and keep this SI joint pain at bay.

this one really helps actually, but there's nothing like a good swim!**

So! After my practice I retreated into one of the private toilet/shower stalls, re rolled outs mat, closed my eyes and hit play on my queued up meditation in the CALM app.

It took me a few minutes to clear my head of that pesky “what’s-next” process. Part of being such a time optimizer has me contstantly thinking about the best order of operations of things. What to do next, for how long, mixing logistics, work and creative time, to be able to fit the most in that I can.

I’m sure this obsession comes at least partially from the fact that I absolutely hate laying down at the end of the day and knowing that I didnt do “enough”. I know thats a ridiculous notion given the fact that “enough” is often completely undefined, in my mind.

Once I got through the “What’s-next” hurdle I had to come to terms with what’s HERE. In the spirit of gratefulness, I’ll praise it this way. I’m thankful for the opportunity to meditate on a cold wet floor of a shared bathroom, because if I can learn to be peaceful and content there, I can do it anywhere.

I decide to envision myself meditating in a serene monastery somewhere in the forests of Japan. Minimal surroundings, a hard cool wood floor beneath me, afternoon rays piercing through green leaves who’s branches hung low over a babbling brook.-yes. Much better.

This intro course on gratitude isn’t about pretending that everything is frosting, fairies and rainbows, but rather, about making the conscious choice to daily shift our attention from what we lack, to what we have.

I noticed my heartbeat,it felt fast for just sitting there, but I had had some coffee before yoga so maybe that explains it, and instantly I was overwhelmed by the fact that for 30 years nd a couple days, my heart has not taken one single moment off duty. Obviously I’m super greatful for that, but also in awe of it. What an incredible little machine we all have inside our chests.

If it think about that thought process, the very first thing I noticed was what I perceived to be a flaw. The fact that my heart rate wasnt what I was expecting. I was careening into a million thoughts about what that meant for my overall health and fitness, what my heart rate SHOULD be and what I could offer as a possible explanation in order to fix it.

Until Gratitude showed up and took over that whole process with just one sentiment.

"How lucky am I that this thing shows up for me every day without me asking it to, or rarely even acknowledging it."

That realization was so powerful that none of the self criticisms or worry or comparison could stand up to it. now, of COURSE body consciousness and health are incredibly important, but this wasnt me suppressing bad thoughts nd replacing them with rainbows.

It was about a re-prioritization of those sentiments, in which the negative emotions attached to self criticism was replaced with self awe, wonder and humility. To be honest I cant think of a better way to treat your body if you want to improve on it.

The challenge at the end of todays practice is to think about 5 things you’re truly thankful for before you drift off to sleep for the night. You can bet that the constant thump thump thump of my heart will be one of them...

I hope this little post finds you well. That you take a moment to allow what you’re grateful for to replace thoughts of lacking for even just a few moments today.
<3 Dayle

If you’re meditating with me through the Month of march, feel free to use the hashtag #MeditationMarch and join us on Discord so we can share thoughts and encourage eachother. I’m already looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

<3
Dayleeo