Ah…meditation. We’ve heard all the advice about how important it is to meditate; we know that we will fell calm and peaceful if we only take the time to let go of life’s stresses and learn to focus, meditate, stretch, chant, blah, blah, blah. To be honest, the people I know who are regular meditators are NOT people with houses full of children. They are either individuals whose children have all grown up, or they are childless folks who can not only meditate, but have altars and little fountains of trickling water right in the middle of their living rooms—at perfect kid, cat and dog height.
Just so you know, I have given meditation a fair shake, I have tried to shut myself away in my bedroom with the soothing music, candles, and even a little bell to ring for I can’t remember why. If I am able to get to that Zen relaxed state—and that requires a full ten minutes without intrusion or interruption—there is a darn good chance that someone will figure out that I am “missing” and come banging on the door requesting my attention for some plumbing, lost item, or food need emergency.
About six months ago, I re-attempted to get back into yoga. Yoga was something I used to do regularly before children and during my first pregnancy. I was even able to keep it kind-of going after my first daughter was born and while I was expecting my second. So, I thought that now that my kids are old and working on getting their own lives, I might be able to carve out a full hour for peaceful and purposeful yoga. Within minutes of getting my cushions and mat spread out and all the furniture pushed aside—the phone was ringing, there was an unexpected burst of teenagers through the door all wanting to know what I was doing down there, and when I stretched out on my stomach, both of my cats climbed up on my back thinking I was creating a perfect reverse-lap for their lounging. I haven’t given up, though, I know full well that I am just the sort of person who could really benefit from a good meditation regime…
Also: My Motherhood Hall of Shame
When Do I Get to Be Smarter Again?