Originally posted on June 20, 2010
As I look at the month of June on my wall, I am in awe of the number of events that can be written in one small box that represents one day. Yes, this is one of my busiest months of the year (second only to December). Somedays, I marvel at my wonderful ability to multi-task. I am proud to say, that I can easily walk around the house with a telephone in my ear, a basket of laundry on one hip, and a small child on the other. Last week, I planned a large going away party, helped my daughter with a report on the moray eel (in french), and repaired a broken refrigerator door. In the next two weeks, in between teaching 12 yoga classes, I will take my daughters to a total of 6 birthday parties, 5 tennis lessons, 2 gymnastics lessons, and a relay race.
I should mention, that during this time, I will prepare and teach a workshop on “Living in Balance.” (Insert wise-crack here _____ ).
Sometimes, we thrive on the energy of multi-tasking, and other times the feeling of being pulled in so many different directions can be overwhelming. It becomes easy to feel rundown, tired, irritable, and just a plain old grouch (just ask my husband).
In moments like these, it becomes more clear to me the importance of my daily meditation practice. I can choose to move through the final weeks of June mindlessly finishing one task after another, focusing on reaching the month of July when school vacation begins, OR, I can bring moments of stillness into my daily life, and find peace amidst the chaos. I am reminded of the Max Ehrmann poem Desderata;
“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence….”
My daily meditation practice allows me to find peace in silence. I temporarily move out of the list-making mode, the past and future thinking, and just grant my busy mind a little bit of space. My goal then becomes less about reaching the finishing line (June 30th) and more about being present and enjoying each busy moment as it comes. Meditation can teach us the valuable wisdom of Ehrmann….Even in the craziness that is sometimes our lives, it is possible to keep
“Peace in your soul” and with presence, we can even “Strive to be happy.”
…and a lot less of a grouch.