Life can get hectic for us all. It absolutely does for me. With television and media appearances, design projects, building my own home, raising a family and trying to find time for myself, “hectic” can be an understatement sometimes. Thankfully, I learned early on in my maturing how important meditation can be to help maintain balance in my life. Here’s why—and how—I practice meditation with my family.
Meditation: Myths Versus Reality
What is meditation, really? A simple definition describes it as a practice that involves focusing on clearing your mind using one or several mental and physical techniques. I could name so many ways in which meditation has positively impacted my life. But first, I think it’s important to debunk some common myths about what it is and isn’t:
- Meditation is time-consuming. I don’t have time. The reality is, none of us do. We’re all busy with the day-to-day things. But just like things we make time to do—exercising and working out, visiting friends and loved ones, and even household chores—meditation requires an intentional decision and consistency to be most effective.
- Meditation is too complicated. I don’t know how. Honestly, there’s no one way to meditate “the right way.” In fact, many people traditionally spend quiet time in meditation, but there are other forms of practicing meditation that work just as well. Some meditate by going for walks and keeping attention on their feet. Others play music while focusing on being present and mindfully aware. The “right” way to meditate is the way that works best for you to stay grounded. That’s the only rule.
- Meditation is for people who need to relax. I don’t need it. It’s great if you are relaxed and have found balance in your life. But meditation offers so much more than relaxation. Studies have shown it can aid in sharpening your intuition and making better decisions. No matter how tranquil your life is, we can all benefit from that!
Get where I’m going here? There’s virtually no reason why you shouldn’t try to incorporate mindful meditation into your life and daily routine. The benefits outnumber any reasons or excuses not to.
My Family and Meditation
People wonder why I’m such a fan of neutral colors and textures in my interior design. What many may not realize is the visual aesthetic is only half the reason. A good designer knows that brighter colors bring energy to a room, while more neutral colors bring a more soothing and calm ambiance. It’s why I use those colors throughout my home, but in other home projects I tend to use them in bedrooms. My mind feels less chaotic and less cluttered when surrounded by those color choices. Making time for meditation has a similar effect on my mind and emotions.
As an on-the-go creative, my schedule can get complicated quickly. What’s more, I don’t tend to sleep a great deal because of my unconventional career and hours. I can often find myself in several time zones a week because of travel obligations. Don’t get me wrong; I wouldn’t trade my career for the world. However, I deal with more than a few life-disrupting factors that, if not managed, could cause issues with anxiety. Meditation helps me bring everything back to center and focus on what’s important at any given moment.
When I say “any given moment,” I mean just that, both for myself and my kids. Any mom who has raised boys knows they can be curious, rambunctious, always moving little firecrackers. They like to run all over the place, jump off things, pick up random items, and get into general mischief. I decided years ago that they needed meditation, also. Even at a young age, they know how to get themselves into comfortable positions and focus on personal mantras to center their thoughts and energy. They’ve been known to meditate by themselves, even in busy airports and parties. Whenever they need it, they do it.
Get Started Today
If you want to make meditation a part of your lifestyle, there are so many great resources out there for you. A simple Google search will provide so many easy tools and tips for beginners, but there are also apps like Headspace that provide guided meditation practices for newbies. The basics, though, require several things: a calm, quiet place; a set time for the activity; a focus on breathing, the body and your thoughts; and a commitment to be kind to your mind while you train to be more intentional and present within yourself.
Meditation may sound complicated. Trust me; it’s not. You only need a little patience with yourself. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll feel better about yourself and things that impact your mental and emotional well-being.
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