In my last post I started off by saying how I had done a few things to help improve my spirits and mind, given what had transpired the week before. A couple of people have made comments as to what their reaction would be and also regarding my inner strength. As C.S. Lewis, religious philosopher, once said: "some of the things I do, like prayer, I do them for many reasons, but chief among them is because it makes me feel better, and sometimes it make me even feel good." He said this while he and his wife dealt with the cancer that ultimately took his life.

It's from people like him that I've learned to deal with struggle and challenges in a positive manner. Ironically enough, it was my friend Mike who introduced me to his religious writings. I only knew him from his Chronicles of Narnia.

Anyway, The first thing I did was go to the gym and stayed on the treadmill for over an hour. Then I toke my son to the park and just had a blast doing toddler stuff (playing with swings, sand pit, see saw, monkey bars, and running around playing tag). After which I went to the young people's service at church, which my sone loves because of the great music. After having an impromptu picnic dinner by the Hudson River at our favorite spot, we went home.

After putting my son to bed I sat down for a 90 min session of transcendental meditation (TM) followed by a period of prayer and affirmations. Transcendental Meditation is technique of meditation derived from Hindu traditions but which has been modified in the west that promotes deep relaxation through the use of a mantra, sound or music. Personally, I use music because it's easier to sit for longer periods of time.

I've done the same for the past few days and this morning I woke up unbelievably early (4:30 am) and ready to start my day in a really happy and positive frame of mind.

This is someting I've done for awhile, but never for such a long period of time. The 90 min. session helped me enormously when I was away dealing with my aunt's passing and I'm just grateful that in spite of how cold it was in her garden, I stuck with it. I've received a lot from doing this, and have indicated in the extended some of the benefits as described in one psychological study of TM.

So no secret or magic to keeping my wits about me really. I'm just always amazed at how well it works when I remember to practice it. And for those of you who will argue that beer or drugs are better.... I say NOT, it works better because it has none of the side effects and no hangovers! Improved Mental Abilities: Increased creativity, improved learning ability, improved memory, improved reaction time, higher levels of moral reasoning, improved academic achievement, greater orderliness of brain functioning, increased self-actualization.

Improved Health: Reduced stress and anxiety, reduced incidence of disease, reduced use of alcohol and drugs, improved cardiovascular health, reduced physical complaints, increased longevity.

Improved Behavior: Improved self-confidence, improved family life, improved relationships at home and at work, increased tolerance, improved job performance, increased job satisfaction.

Posted by: Michele at 02:24 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 556 words, total size 3 kb.