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ALL IN THE MIND
'Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is
gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back
to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch
with life.' Thich Nhat Hanh
In 1993 Chris was in a similar situation to what he's been
in this year. As a freelancer in the film and advertising
industry, he has little control over his schedule. Back
then, he'd had a long stretch of time without work.
I found it stressful not knowing when the next job would
come in and although I was working a couple of days a week
myself, felt a constant sense of worry about how we'd
survive.
When things were at their most difficult I enrolled in a
Transcendental Meditation (TM) course which was by far the
best investment I've ever made in my life.
In line with the relatively stringent TM teachings, once I'd
completed the course I meditated for twenty minutes twice
every day for several years. I look back now and wonder how
I managed - the girls were just 3 and 5 years old at the
time. Some days they'd be fighting or yelling outside the
door but I just kept on meditating. I had such an inherent
belief that my practice would make the world of difference.
After just three weeks something shifted. Chris still wasn't
working but somehow it no longer mattered. Within me was an
oasis - a quiet, calm place where I knew that everything
would be ok.
It wasn't just the calm that was alluring. I started to
sleep through the night again. I felt energised. The girls'
tantrums washed over me. My memory was better and my
relationship with Chris improved. I felt as though I'd been
drugged without any unpleasant side effects. The serenity
was like nothing I'd ever experienced before.
And there were added physical benefits. When colds and tummy
bugs came home from crèche or school, they slipped past me.
At every level, meditation was changing my life.
Later I read about the fMRI research that Dr Richard
Davidson from University of Wisconsin in the US had been
conducting that confirmed my beliefs - not only does
meditation alter the activity in the brain but it improves
the body's immune system. His findings confirmed that the
brain activity in the left pre frontal cortex increased with
regular meditation - this is the area associated with
feeling of happiness and enthusiasm.
Contrary to what most people think, meditation is not just
about emptying the mind. There are almost always thoughts -
some days more so than others. The intention is clarity and
focus. Whether your focus is the breath, a mantra or
something else, meditation is about directing your attention
in a mindful way. When you notice the thoughts, you don't
fight them. You just let them wash away and bring your
attention back to your object of focus. In that quiet space,
there's a sense of connection with the quiet and a greater
understanding of yourself.
Just coming into the room where I meditate still fills me
with calm. Closing my eyes and connecting with my breath
instantly guides me to a place of stillness and serenity.
Within minutes, the muscles in my body begin to feel heavy
and relaxed and as I begin my mantra, I find myself slipping
into a deep sense of tranquility.
I wouldn't have been the mother I've been without
meditation. I'm not sure how I'd have managed the worry
during all of those months without income. I doubt I'd have
had the clarity or the courage to change careers or to
continue on through all of the challenges that come with
starting your own business.
Meditation is truly miraculous but it does take commitment.
Just three weeks of daily practice and I guarantee, you'll
be hooked.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE
Thank you all so much for your enthusiastic support of
Chris's new business - the response has been truly
overwhelming. I encourage all of my clients to get clear
about their ideal roles and then recommend that they 'put it
out there' in some way. The situation with Chris was a
classic example of what can occur when you clarify an
alternative career path and take a step or two in that new
direction.
Literally the minute I hit the send button on the
newsletter, the phone rang and Chris had an almost
unprecedented twelve days straight of tv commercial work. It
was one of those moments that makes you believe in miracles
because usually the jobs are booked one or two days at a
time. For the moment, he has more work than he can handle.
(If you've enquired about property maintenance, he'll get
back to you very shortly!).
Like most people, we still feel somewhat concerned about the
coming months but we've discovered a few things that have
lifted our spirits. We are in a time of opportunity as well
as difficulty. Chris has been thinking about setting up this
little business for years and now he's taken the leap
there'll be no looking back, I'm sure.
And, not that we ever doubted this, but we were reminded
that the people around us are truly caring and supportive
when we ask for their help. So - thank you. Your
encouragement was greatly appreciated.
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