Daily Intention - Peaceful Mind - Turning off the Noise and Chaos…





Part eight in a ten part series - By Cindy Graham

“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.  Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.”  - James Allen

 

Think for a moment the peaceful feeling you experience when you are in a church, temple or sanctuary.  There is something so wonderful about being inside - something so calm, so at peace, so gentle – it is as if the whole world is far away and you have left the noisy, chaotic, media filled insanity in the parking lot.  When you leave that serene, blissful calm and head back out into “life” – the noise and chaos starts up again….even though you want to hang on to that wonderful peaceful feeling….it just slips away.

Today we are challenged more than ever from the noisy environment around us.  Almost everywhere we go – there is noise and a lot of it.  There was even a recent “adjustment” made to TV commercials.  When an ad came on, the volume increased dramatically which (in our house) caused everyone to jump and feel anxious, scrambling for the remote to turn the volume down.  The advertisers thought if they increased the volume we’d somehow be more inclined to buy their product (really?).

We are not designed to sustain this kind of continual interference….our bodies, brains and well being need rest from this storm of noise and activity.  In order to minimize the flurry of activity and clutter in the brain we need to have more moments of peace and calm where we can shut down the chaos.  The following is an excerpt from the book “Peace of Mind in Daily Life:”

“Peace of mind is experienced when the stormy waves of the mind quell down.  Real peace of mind is the companion of the silence of the mind.  You get peace of mind not by thinking about it or imagining it, but by quieting and relaxing the restlessness. Your nature is absolute peace. The mind is like a room that is always full with all sorts of stuff. There is no free space there. When it is emptied, it becomes filled with peace of mind.  Give your brain some rest by switching off the movements of the mind.  Stop your thoughts, but stay awake, and you will experience the great ocean of peace beyond the mind.  You are the consciousness beyond the mind. By stilling the mind you realize this fact. Then peace of mind will be always be with you. True peace of mind is not dependent on circumstances. It comes from the inside. The wind causes waves to arise in the sea. Restless thoughts are the winds that bring waves and storms into the mind.  Learn to calm down the winds of your mind, and you will enjoy great inner peace.  When you unclutter your mind, you enjoy peace of mind.”

Achieving this result and incorporating this practice does not take a lot of work.  Integrating small moments of peace and calm throughout the day will have dramatic improvements on many aspects of your life.  Once you allow your mind moments to free itself from noise, chaos and clutter – you open yourself up to the freedom of new possibilities – which will include a refreshed perspective on how to live peacefully inside of life’s normal daily chaos.  Deepak Chopra states it best:

"Wherever you go in the midst of movement and activity, carry your stillness within you. Then the chaotic movement around you will never overshadow your access to the reservoir of creativity, the field of pure potentiality."

There are many ways to get started on the journey of seeking a peaceful mind.  Here are a few to get started immediately:

·         When in the car – turn the radio and cell phone off – don’t allow the noise in – focus on driving in the present moment

·         When at home – turn off all TV’s, radio’s and background noise – be in the home noise free

·         Consider exercising without music or Podcasts – just exercise and be with your thoughts

·         Designate a quiet “sanctuary” spot in your home or work where you can go to for quiet moments – nothing fancy – just a spot that is your place to go to when a quiet moment is needed

·         Read the book: “Peace of Mind in Daily Life” by Remez Sasson

·         Begin each day with a mindful intention to seek out quiet moments – so that you can find peace and calm and turn off the noise

Most people need something to keep them mindful of their daily intention – so that they are aware all day of their intention to seek out quiet moments.  They need something to help them remember; something that provides reminders to stay focused on what you’ve set out to do.  Solution: the meaning to pause® bracelet.  This bracelet gently and privately vibrates every 90 (or 60) minutes with a friendly nudge to keep you on track and mindful of your daily intention. This simple and inexpensive bracelet holds the key to keeping you focused on your daily intention and commitment to serve!

For more information go to: www.meaningtopause.com

“When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere”

-Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Daily Intention - Contributing to the world - mindful service…

Part seven in a ten part series - By Cindy Graham

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”  --Martin Luther King Jr.

Savor for a moment the feeling you get when you do something good for someone or for the earth.  There is simply nothing like it.  Why is this?  It’s because helping one another (serving) is exactly what we are here to do….it is the common purpose for all of mankind.  Yes, we all have our individual purpose in life – but we are all bound together with the common purpose of service to one another.

“Being of service” might sound like it’s too much work….but with all things it’s not how big or how much….but more that the “service” is put into action – if even on the tiniest scale. Another benefit to doing even the tiniest thing -- it’s been scientifically proven that if someone sees you doing something good – it gives them the same great feeling that you get – and they in turn want to do something good (also known as the ripple effect).

Sometimes we become so self absorbed in our own day to day problems, issues and troubles that we lose touch with being mindful about service to others.  There are literally hundreds of opportunities to do good things for people and our earth every single day – you just have to turn your mind ON to being more aware of those opportunities so that you can do them.  Once you become more aware and you put yourself into motion – you can become addicted to doing good things for people – which translates to the bigger picture of contributing to the world!  Here are some small examples to help you get started – go do it – put some GOOD into the world TODAY!

·         If you see a piece of trash on the ground, pick it up and throw it away

·         Give someone a big huge smile – BEAM happiness to others

·         Say hello to a stranger – even if it seems awkward – be a “high on life” ambassador

·         Send an uplifting text or e-mail to someone – letting them know you are thinking of them

·         Let someone go ahead of you in the check-out line

·         Give a homeless person a dollar – don’t be concerned what they will do with it – just put the kindness out there

·         Tell a child how important they are, how special they are and how much they mean to this world

·         Give someone your awesome parking spot that you’ve been circling around for 15 minutes looking for

·         Pay for the person behind you in the bridge toll

·         Instead of leaving a standard tip – leave a little more and TELL the server how wonderful they made your eating experience

It’s hard to imagine, but if every single one of us were to embrace the daily intention of “service to others” we would all be living in a perfect utopia!  Since that is probably not possible, why not be the person that makes the positive choice to do good every day – and all day.  To put this into action, it all begins with a daily intention.  When you begin your day with the intention to do all the good that you can – you’ve set up your day to actually do it.  You see, setting that intention is a personal commitment….and when you are tied to making that commitment you are more apt to get it done.

Most people need something to keep them mindful of their daily intention – so that they are aware all day of their commitment to serve others and put “some good” out in the world.  They need something to help them remember; something that provides reminders to stay focused on what you’ve set out to do.  Solution: the meaning to pause® bracelet.  This bracelet gently and privately vibrates every 90 minutes with a friendly nudge to keep you on track and mindful of your daily intention. This simple and inexpensive bracelet holds the key to keeping you focused on your daily intention and commitment to serve!

For more information go to: www.meaningtopause.com

“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” 
- Mitch Albom

Daily Intention – Healthy Body – Healthy Mind…

Part six in a ten part series - By Cindy Graham

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”  

~World Health Organization

Being in good health is a desirable state for everyone – right?  No one wants to be unhealthy.  If this is true, then why do so many people turn their head and look the other way when it comes to doing the necessary things to attain good health?  I believe that we have to balance our desire to have fun, cut loose and throw caution to the wind, with sound, proven and sustainable healthy habits.  Is this easy?  No, of course not, otherwise there would no illness, suffering and disease.  We do however, have the capacity to find balance and live a healthy, fulfilled, exciting life by keeping our minds in sync with our bodies.

I know from experience that my desires towards good health are always positive, sound and attainable – but I seem to get off track very easily.  My best laid plans can go wrong in the wink of an eye and suddenly, I am not sticking to the plans I created for the day.  This is because my mind and body are not in sync.  You know that little voice in your head that tells you it’s OK to watch TV rather than go for a walk?  Or that same voice that tells you it’s OK to have one cookie since you deserve it (and that one cookie always turns into more!).  Once you cross that line and decide to give in, the whole day goes in the toilet and from there you can’t seem to stick to any plan at all.

Why are we like this? Why are we weak and unable to create discipline about something as important as our health?  It’s simply because we are easily distracted – and when we are distracted, our mind can create a separate set of plans.  Yes, when our mind and our bodies are out of sync, we sabotage our desire to do the right thing.

In order to achieve our health goals we must take the necessary steps on the journey of discipline and not allow distractions to get in the way. Yes, it’s focus and balance in harmony with our body and our mind that will allow us to stay on track and be successful.  It is the setting of a daily intention that will keep us on track.  When you start your day with a specific and measurable daily intention, you plant the seed in your mind and your body will follow along with the plan.  If you start your day without any intention, then you start out sloppy and will not achieve any specific health goal because none have been set.  You must set your mind and body up for success daily!

For example, you wake up in the morning and you decide that your intention for the day will be to only eat whole foods and drink 64 oz of water.  You will also wear your pedometer and review it every 90 minutes to ensure you are moving enough.  It’s that easy.  Set the intention, mediate and visualize how the day will look and then start your day!  Because you have set this up and thought it through, you are armed to have a successful and healthy day.  You can adjust your daily intention as needed by listening to what your body and health needs are.

Most people need something to help keep them on track – gentle reminders to prompt them during the day – so that distractions don’t derail their plans.  Solution: the meaning to pause® bracelet.  This bracelet gently and privately vibrates every 90 minutes with a friendly nudge to keep you on track and mindful of your daily intention to make a mind and body health connection and stay on track!  This bracelet holds the key to keeping you focused on your daily intention and helps you stay focused and balanced during hectic and busy days.

For more information go to: www.meaningtopause.com

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.”

--Buddha

Daily Intention - Prayer and Meditation

Part five in a ten part series - By Cindy Graham

“Prayer is more than meditation.  In meditation, the source of strength is one’s self.  When one prays, he goes to a source of strength greater than his own.”  - Madame de Stael

I read a great short story the other day about a family and their “5 minute rule.” The four children in the family had to be ready for school 5 minutes before it was time to leave each day. They would gather around their Mom, and she would pray for each one by name, asking for the Lord’s blessing on their day. Then she’d give them each a kiss and off they’d run.  What a great ritual to start every day and what a blessing to have a Mom that demonstrated such importance of gathering and pausing before the start of every day!  This Mother was setting a daily intention for her family.  When you start your day with quiet time to call out what you want for that day – it’s setting a daily intention.   

Why are mediation and prayer important?  Because silent spiritual reflection is a core need of every single human being.  You can fight it and you can ignore it but the lack of meaningful quiet time to pray, reflect or meditate will catch up with you eventually.  When it does, you will feel a troubling sense of emptiness accompanied by fear, uneasiness and doubt.  For many people this does not happen until late in life.  I saw this in the eyes of my troubled 95 year old Grandfather.  To this day, it haunts me that he left this earth without any spiritual connection to anything.

Today, there is so much NOISE around us that silent reflection can be a challenge…but it is possible.  You can fill your day with many refreshing and calming moments of quiet reflection by getting into the good habit of pausing several times in the day to step aside of what you are doing and give yourself the gift of brief but meaningful silence. This is why setting a daily intention of meditation or prayer is so critical.  If you start your day with a 1, 5 or 10 minute intention setting session, you are armed and set for the day. Let’s determine what category you fall under so that you can identify your starting place.  Each of us fits into one of three categories:

1.        Master - You are a prayer and meditation master!  You pause many times every day to quietly reflect, pray and meditate.  You are a joyous, fulfilled, kind, compassionate, loving human and you have a deep and meaningful understanding of your part in this world. 

2.        Drifter - You do pray and meditate but you drift in and out – never finding a consistent rhythm. You either allow the noise and busyness of the day to rule your life -- or when things are going well you stop because you feel you don't need meditation or prayer any longer….until the next problem or challenge comes up in your life and you begin again.

3.        Searching - Deep inside you know something is not right – you’re hoping the emptiness and uncertainty will eventually go away.  You do not engage in any quiet reflection, prayer or meditation.  You avoid exploring the meaning of “eternity” and the haunting echo in your soul.

Most of us fall under the category of “drifter.”  The good news is that we can change!  We can choose to do and be anything we want.  If you want to get better at prayer and meditation – you can.  You just need to set your daily intention to prayer and meditation and then start your journey -- perhaps even starting your own “5 minute rule” every morning.

Most people need something to help keep them on track – gentle reminders to prompt them during the day to pause – so that distractions don’t derail them.  Solution: the meaning to pause® bracelet.  This bracelet gently and privately vibrates every 90 minutes with a friendly nudge to keep you on track and mindful of your daily intention to meditate, pray or reflect.  This bracelet holds the key to keeping you focused on your daily intention and helps you stay true to your commitment to allow for quiet time during your hectic and busy days.

For more information go to: www.meaningtopause.com

“The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us,

but that we will hear Him.”  ~William McGill

Daily Intention – Living in the Present Moment

Part four in a ten part series - By Cindy Graham

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”  ~Buddha

It seems as if there is a lot of hype about living in the present moment today. Funny thing is….the concept is nothing new. Buddha knew the key to living a healthy and fulfilled life was to live in the present moment and he was born sometime before 1887.

Living in the present moment is how we were meant to live, but as we’ve evolved, we’ve lost the ability to do this. Many “life experts” believe this is the core reason we are a confused, unhappy, sick, and dysfunctional society. Thanks to life experts like Eckhart Tolle, we’ve been able to really define what living in the present moment means and we can examine it closely by addressing what it isn’t. It’s not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

Very simply – living in the present moment is about living in the now by being more aware and focused on what you are doing. If you are washing your car, then you are not thinking about anything else but washing your car. Sound boring? That’s because the life we live in today requires each of us to do 10 things at once – it’s called multitasking…and many people brag about being able to multitask. It’s a shame that a life zapper such as multitasking has been given a gold star of efficiency!

Test yourself: think about a time or a place where you have had a peaceful and calming feeling. Maybe walking on the beach at night or gardening with the birds singing or hiking amongst Redwood trees in the still of the forest. When you do these things, you are focused on them and nothing else – you are in the moment – and you are pleasantly aware of your surroundings. You’re not making lists in your mind, talking on the phone and worrying about your job.

The key to getting into the present is to fully pause and be aware of what you are doing, thinking, saying or even how you are breathing, so that you can shift to a deeper level of awareness. When you become aware of everything around you and in you – then you are in the present moment. When you stay out of the past and the future, you can find balance and joy in the present moment. The longer you can stay in that present moment, the better. Life’s normal distractions will somehow snap us all out of our comfortable present moment blanket – but with practice, you can learn to soak up the present moment and appreciate the grace and beauty of all that life has to offer.

Give yourself some time to learn this – there is no right or wrong and there are no time requirements. You can be mindful of the present moment for 5 seconds or 30 minutes – or better yet, all day! The important thing is to make the connection when you are prompted. Choose to do something calming and special rather than choosing to do nothing at all.

It is perfectly normal for your mind to wander after a few moments of being in the present moment – it happens to all of us. Don't get discouraged and stop the practice – stay with it. It might make sense to think of mindfulness in this way: If your mind wanders away from the present moment, mindfulness is really about bringing your attention back to the present moment. It’s an ebb and flow that is easy and light. Think of this process like the beach. Your body is the sandy shore and your mind is the tide. When you are in the present moment, the beach is soaking in the water that has just come in. That water might stay there or it might go back out to sea….if it does it’s OK….pause and bring the water back onto the shore. Light and easy….ebb and flow…

Most people need something to keep them on track – so that they are mindful and aware all day of their intention to be in the present moment – so that distractions don’t derail them. They need something to help them remember; something that provides reminder points during the day so that they stay in the present. Solution: the meaning to pause® bracelet. This bracelet gently and privately vibrates every 90 minutes with a friendly nudge to keep you on track and mindful of your daily intention to be in the present. This simple and inexpensive bracelet holds the key to keeping you focused on your daily intention of living in the now – the present moment!

For more information go to:

http://www.meaningtopause.com/

“Living in the moment brings you a sense of reverence for all of life's blessings.”    - Oprah Winfrey