I Meditated for 6 Months Strait and Here is what Happened…

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Well actually my goal is to meditate every day for a year, and I am just past the middle of the year! This all came about several years ago when I was in school. A professor told us that when he was in college, his professor told him to meditate daily for a year and he would become enlightened. Well I know that can mean different things to different people, of course. But I was intrigued for sure! This really stuck with me over the years and I finally got to a place in my life where I was ready to try it!

Last winter I was talking to a friend on the chair lift and he said, “I am much nicer to my kids on days that I meditate”. Ding ding ding! My ears perked up and I was all in. He recommended a popular meditation app. It is free to start, then you pay a subscription. As a meditation newbie I don’t have a lot to compare to. I do like that this app is a mix of learning to sit in silence (wow is that tough!) and also learning to meditate on specific things like relationships, anxiety, eating and many more subjects. I did a few sessions and realized I was ready to commit to the year long challenge!

Now I think of myself as a pretty laid back, but having a family changes everything!  There are a lot more people to think about and the make decisions with and for.

Here are a few things that have improved in my life:

  1. I am kinder to my kids, myself and everyone
  2. Sleeping better
  3. I am less stressed
  4. Time is going less fast which is a result of…
  5. Trying to be more present

I have learned a few things about myself that I hope to work on as well! On the topic of being present – I realized how much I am not present! My mind is busier than I ever realized, and I have found that I spend a lot of time thinking about the future (and other things). I have probably done this for a long time, but now I am very aware of it. And while I know there is a time and a place to plan for the future, or think of the past it does not have to be constant! So as I learn more about my mind, the good and the bad, I hope to become more calm, clear and present. I’m pretty sure enlightenment is a long ways off, but I have to start somewhere I guess!

I will be back to update you all after the year is complete!

Do you meditate? Have you found it to be helpful?

 

 

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Katie Woodard
Katie has lived in Flagstaff for 22 years and grew up in North Carolina. She has 10 and 12 year old boys who are certainly an adventure! Her family is by far the most rewarding part of her life. Katie loves hiking and running in our beautiful hills, skiing, river rafting, traveling, health and clean eating (thanks to a whacky thyroid). She is also always taking small steps to clean up our environment, and she is currently learning meditation and just loves learning in general! Katie and her college roommate drove to AZ from VA after college and Katie has only left briefly but Flagstaff is her home for sure! She met her wonderful husband while river guiding in the Grand Canyon. Katie is a family photographer at www.katiewoodardphotography.com, here in Flagstaff and loves capturing the natural love and beauty in families. Her newest fun adventure is co-founding Women Empowering Northern Arizona.