'Being' Instead of 'Doing'; 3 Ways to Live Peacefully And Slow Down!
Most people today are obsessed with, even addicted to, DOING. Work, fitness, cleaning, partying, talking, errands, thinking, projects, sex, pornography, drugs, and on and on it goes…
Do, do, do… We seem to be ‘always on the go’ or constantly doing something to numb out!
Yet, this is not the way to be or feel happy, joy-filled and peaceful. The opposite in fact. Living in a constant state of doing is destructive, anxiety producing, depressing, stressful, and devastating to our body, mind and spirit.
‘BEING is the stuff of peace and joy.’
When was the last time you sat still, in silence and quieted your mind?
Perhaps for a minute or two, a month or so ago?
Perhaps never or you can’t even remember?!
Our bodies are yearning for more peace, more stillness, more being. You don’t necessarily have to be sitting still and meditating to BE still. But it is a great practice and jumping off point.
Being can be injected anywhere, anytime.
Let’s look at 3 ways to begin BEING, instead of doing so you can slow down, merge into greater peace and peace of mind.
1) Meditate- Meditation is extremely simple and can be done for literally one minute, or all darn day. Meditation is now extremely well documented in its profound effects on the body, mind, sleep, relationships, play, work, sport, injury prevention and rapid healing and just about any other benefit you’d like to experience.
I encourage people to begin very simply.Sit still in silence for 3-5 minutes every day for 30 days.That is all.No fancy techniques.No over-trying. Just sit and marvel at how busy your mind attempts is!You will be amazed.
Often, when clients try this out, they say ‘Shawn, my mind was even BUSIER when I sat still in silence for 5 minutes.’To which I answer, ‘Your mind is ALWAYS that frantic, and out of control, you’re just to distracted or busy to notice.’
It is practical, useful, gentle, loving, connecting and inspiring to learn to BE and grow inner stillness through the mechanism of meditation.I encourage you to try it out… and reach out if you need support.
2) Conscious Breathing – simple enough right? After all, if we stopped breathing, we would be moving on the the nest realm!
What we do not do is breathe deeply, consciously, presently, appreciatively, or slowly. Consciously breathing can bring us into BEING (like being present and feeling alive!) at any moment.
Most people breathe in a way that actually leads to additional anxiety. Conscious, slow, belly breathing reminds us to slow down, take our time, let go of things that don’t really need out time, attention, drama, or complaining! Conscious breathing allows us to step back, get clear and proceed with intention, focus and clarity.
The practice of conscious breathing from sun up til’ sun down can and will transform your life. But you can begin small. Set an hourly timer on your phone and take 5 slow, deep, conscious breaths each time it dings; then move on with your day.
3) Journal– Journaling is an action which requires discipline, but is so well worth the effort.
Journaling can be in the place of your urge to ‘check out’, escape, or numb yourself to pain or stress.
Journal when you feel like shopping, but don’t actually need anything; eating, when you’re not hungry; drinking, when you’d really rather not; or any other way you tend to numb out due to pain, suffering, stress or boredom.
Journaling aids in solving problems, calming down, getting your frantic thoughts out of your head.It can calm you and bring you into BEING, instead of the frantic and consistent drama-filled doing that is likely a current habit!
Journaling for just 5 minutes a day for 30 days is a terrific start!So don’t feel like you have to write a novel each day to reap the benefits and rewards!
Our body-mind-spirit connection truly does long for BEING. For stillness. For quiet and peace. For rest and recovery. And from a significant break from the almost constant drama and chaos of doing, going, rushing, stressing, fretting, worrying, thinking… and well, you get the idea.
Try on just one of these exercises daily for 30 days and see what happens. I’d love to hear about your results, so don’t hesitate to share! Have fun with these ideas, make them your own, be curious and see what happens!
Cheers, Shawn
404-513-9096
drhaywood@liberatemylife.com
www.liberatemylife.com
