I love the motivation I get from vacation! A re-birth, a soul searching journey, total relaxation- it's like my 2nd New Years. A new start. So, I just got back from a 10 day holiday in Myrtle Beach, SC. The whole family went (oyyyy): me, Alex (my 8yr old son) my parents, sister, her hubby and 2 kids. Awesome beach house, plenty of room...absolutely perfect. Yet something was different and sad...this was my first time in 11 yrs I've been anywhere w/out my (ex) husband- and we'd do 2-3 vac's a yr. It was also really sad for Alex! I was surprised that I felt this way, but I did. And I'm happy being separated. All this sadness and guilt came creeping back. But, instead of freaking out, I prevailed...pushed it all away, did some meditation and forced myself to focus, breath and relax. I am really trying to stick it - on a reg basis, which is the way to get the full benefit. Even for 10 min everyday (ya, right) but I'm doing pretty good so far, and won't worry about perfection as I always do! Who cares if you skip a day or 2. It's gonna be all about connecting, balance and inner peace. If it's hard to clear your mind, repeat a mantra, like "I feel calm and happy" or whatever.
Laura Fraser says: My preference would be to call meditation conscious & chosen relaxation. Constantly working toward the goal of discovering my own ability to reach a state of serenity, I have learned to meditate and it’s actually easy. Start by focusing completely on your breathing, which takes the mind away from the "clutter" that constantly tries to invade our mind and eliminate feelings that will lead to calm. With repeated effort the goal of clearing your mind - to think of nothing - does occur and the process of meditation takes on its own energy. The result is (and I guarantee this) peace, serenity, calmness. The peace and joy felt by those who meditate enters the world for all of us as positive energy. From it the world is a better place. Imagine if we all practiced meditation!
