Tools for Transformation Tuesday: Give Yourself Five

If we aren't careful, life can seem overwhelming. We know we need to slow down. We want to create more space. We would LOVE to be more mindful. We just don't know how. Starting each day with meditation or prayer seems like a lovely discipline. Incorporating yoga into our regular routine sounds wonderful. But putting these aspirations into action can be incredibly daunting.

For most of us, carving out an hour in our schedules seems impossible. Setting the alarm even 20 minutes earlier feels like a stretch in our sleep deprived existence. But I have yet to meet one person - even the busiest among us (yes I'm talking to you D.C. superstar!) - who cannot identify five minutes of unused time in their day. Maybe it is while you wait for the metro. Perhaps it is while the water in your teakettle comes to a boil. It could be as simple as skipping the snooze button on your alarm.

The question isn't whether it exists - it is how you choose to use it. Instead of checking your email again - or scanning Facebook - or falling down the Wikipedia rabbit hole, be intentional. Step away from the screen. Take a walk around your office. Sit still with your eyes closed and breathe deeply. The escape will look different for everyone, and it may change from day to day. Don't worry about perfection. Resist the urge to tally up your success or chastise yourself for a day missed. Just start...