Tools for Transformation Tuesday: Sitting Still

I know what you are thinking: sit still? Now? Three days before Christmas? But there are presents to wrap, meals to cook, cards to write. Just let me get through this week, then I can slow down. Sound familiar?

I hear you, believe me. But we both know that if you wait, you won't. Because Christmas will turn into the the New Year will turn into Spring will turn into Summer will turn into Fall and before you know it we are right back here in the same spot, promising ourselves and our loved ones we will do better next year.

So before you tie one more bow, bake (or eat!) one more cookie, or scribble one more note about something you feel you NEED to cross off your list before moving on to the next thing, stop. Sit still. Breathe.

You can close your eyes - or not. It might be helpful to set a timer so you don't worry about whether you are staying longer than you intend. If you need to give your monkey mind something to focus on, try listening to what you hear - whether the hum of the refrigerator, traffic noise from the street, or your coworker typing furiously away on her keyboard. If that seems too scary, count to 100 - or 500. The length of the sitting is less relevant than the act of stopping and breathing.

And when the timer goes off - or you reach your magic number - or you simply begin to feel the edges of your stress headache subside - open your eyes and return to whatever you were doing. I promise you will feel a little lighter, more balanced, and better prepared for whatever comes next.

Return to this practice as many times as you need in the week (or year) to come. Learn to savor the simple act of sitting...