Wellness Journalism: Take Five!

Stew on this.
The components of reality can be divided into two categories:

External Forces- That which is happening around you; school, work, household, afternoon traffic, children, relationships, economy.

Internal Forces- That which is happening within you; thoughts, beliefs, emotions, feelings, drives, dreams.

Spiritual wellness dwells at the center. It is the nucleus. Yet we live in a stimulating world where external forces can seem to have absolute power over state of being.

Meditation and Reflection generate Self-Awareness, an internal connection that keeps you on track and tuned-in to who you are. Awareness means listening in and keeping tabs on your internal environment. It means keeping your Internal Forces running at maximum efficiency, so that you are most effective in all aspects of life. Talk about self-sustainability!

It used to be that meditation and reflection were practices associated with people who live on mountains. This is silly. Isn’t it already peaceful and calm on mountains? Meditation is what we city-dwellers need...peace of mind amidst a world in panic!

There are as many ways to meditate as there are people to invent them. Although many basic practices exist, perhaps the most effective meditation for you is one that you discover for yourself. My favorite meditation, it turns out, is writing—which is why I like blogs.

A five minute meditation only takes five minutes.

How much calmer and more focused would you be if you got five-a-day? How many opportunities are lying embedded in your schedule, or crop up out of the blue if you choose to take them? After dinner, during a study break, between classes or meetings, before going out, while waiting in line…

Here are some simple, five-minute exercises you can do to strengthen your Internal Forces:

• Deep breathing
• Listen to music
• Doodle
• Make a list of things you are grateful for
• Sing or dance
• Stretch
• Be aware of your thoughts and release your attachment to anything less than joyful
• Take a walk
• Contract and relax each muscle in your body in succession

Your [problem set] is a direct reflection of your state of consciousness; when you’re clashing with reality, meditation and reflection can help you reevaluate your sense of purpose and bring you back into alignment.

Make some personal space!