Mar 12 2010
Do you have time to worry?
I once saw a fascinating exchange, where an Indian woman who was a meditation guru - shared a stage with a number of senior business people.
After being taken through a guided meditation the discussion then turned to how this stillness could be applied at work. One of the men said that he would love to experience the peace he just got from the meditation on a regular basis, but he was just too busy.
Business is for lazy people
In a very quiet gentle voice the Indian woman said “Busyness is for lazy people”. It took a while for what she said to sink in and their seemed to be silence for a full 20 seconds. She then sweetly probed “Do you have time to worry?”.
We all seem to have plenty of time to worry, but often neglect sufficient time to nurture our body, mind, and spirit. I know that just before I had my breakdown in 2000, I was stressed and anxious but still continued to work ridiculous hours in a very unproductive manner.
Mindfulness, Flow, Power of Now, In the zone, In my element
There has been a lot of talk recently about the concept of mindfulness – to be fully engaged in what you are doing and not worrying about the future or regretful of the past – Eckhart Tolle calls it the Power of Now, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls it Flow, some sports people refer to it as being in the zone. It’s kind of ironical that it is being hailed as something new, as the message originally came from the Buddha over 2000 years ago.
Whilst most people can understand the concept of mindfulness, actually living it is a whole different matter. It is so easy to get distracted by interruptions, and lose the ability to focus on the moment.
Stillness Buddy
I would like to share a resource I use that is tremendously beneficial – particularly if you spend a lot of time on a computer during the day. It is a software tool called Stillness Buddy. Once it is downloaded you have the opportunity to choose settings for a stillness break and a mindfulness break. I chose to have a 20 second break stillness break every 30 minutes and a 2 minute mindfulness break every hour. When those breaks come up a beautiful picture appears on the screen, some sounds from nature, and some guidelines on what to do for the next 20 seconds (or 2 minutes).
When the break is finished the screen disappears. I find that even when I am engrossed in something there is a huge benefit in pulling back and gaining some perspective. Sometimes it comes at an inconvenient time and you have option of closing the window immediately.
There is a free 14 day trial of the software at: www.stillnessbuddy.com If you chose to purchase it, a licence is approximately AU$40.
If you do decide to trial it, please let us know your experience on the blog.
Do you have habits at work to help you be more centred? I would love you to reply to the blog and to share it with our tribe. How do you switch off in the middle of chaos? Share what works for you.
Kind Regards
Graeme
Hi Graeme,
Thanks for this it really came at an opportune time and reminds me to be more mindful.
I use the iPhone application Easy Relax. This uses ambient sounds and binaural beats. You can use the in built programs or custom build if you wish. Used in conjunction with some in ear headphones it let’s me have that peace. I highly recommend it.
Kind Regards,
Todd
I habit I have implemented at work to help me remain more centred is to have a Task reminder set in my Outlook Calendar on my work computer, I have titled the Task reminder ‘Just A Minute’. It prompts me hourly to take just one minute to meditate. I use one minute meditation tools from the website http://www.just-a-minute.org/experience.htm/meditations-music
It has made a huge difference.
Thank you, Graeme, for this important story and for all I have received from you in emails. I know I haven’t responded but it is helping me and I will get there someday. Thanks to those who have commented here. It really helps. Anne
Hi Graeme,
I have just read your first book, it was very illuminating. A number of people including yourself have listed meditation or mindfulness as part of their recovery. I know for myself, that when I meditate, I feel more centred and less anxious. I also receive great benefit from vigorous exercise.
However, because of my anxiety and depression my sleep is very disturbed and when I have had a bad night, my capacity for meditation & exercise is nil. But if I don’t do these things, my chances of getting adequate sleep the following night are very low. My self esteem also goes down because of a feeling of failure. How do you break this vicious cycle?
Regards,
Kirsten
Hi Kirsten,
Yes I know only too well the vicious cycle syndrome. Sleep is so very important to our health and I know whenever I get over tired I have to step back and take some action.
If I do have a bad night’s sleep I still try to go for a walk - even when it is hard to get started. I usually find that after about 15 minutes I do start to lose the sense of tiredness particularly when I focus on the trees, birds, and sounds around me. Meditation can be hard when you are tired so in that instance I listen to a guided meditation as I find that much easier to do.
When I was really badly depressed, I often went for weeks without a good nights sleep so I know it won’t kill me. I now know that exercise and being in nature is essential to my wellbeing and really do try hard to this 6 days a week. There is a saying in GROW which I like which is “I can compel my muscles and limbs, despite my feelings” - which basically means that I can do something even when I don’t feel like it, and in the vast majority of cases I know I’ll feel better for having done it.
Sleep experts say that you should have a ritual around bed time. close to same time each night - perhaps a hot bath and hot milk - don’t watch tv in bed or things that stimulate you.
Does anyone else have any other suggestions for Kirsten.
Kind Regards
Graeme
Hi Graeme
Funny how we all seem to find time to worry? It will wake us from a sound sleep and beging to fill our mind with all those thoughts and feelings that only exist within the worried mind.. We will feel that others think things about us, which may or may not be so. Do they have time to think those thoughts we think they are thinking or are they worrrying about their very own concerns. We can be walking down the street seemingly without a care in our world, then out of nowhere the time of those worrying thoughts will begin.. We look around and think that other can notice what is really going on within the deapth of our being.. But the reality is that they too have many things on their minds and how posibly will they have time to think of us. Yes we all seem to find those moments of discontent with who we are and how we exist within the scheme of things.
Now I am guessing that if by chance I can harness just a few of those moments when worry takes the control of my mind, to firmly take back the wheel of my vehicle just as I would if when I was driving and a mad man took the wheel steering me into all sorts of dangers.. If I stop and apply the breaks and take a moment of the stillness and focus of my mind then it is possible with time the wrestle more and more of those moments back to focus on what is real within that moment..
I am each day taking back some of the control that takes me down to worry what the world my think of me.. For who I am is all I am and I am the only one that can focus the power back to ME.. As each moment I do take back from the worry moments I do have, the easier it is to train my mind to not continually focus on those worries that want to plague me all the time.. I am making time to ponder… upon what ever makes me smile, what ever makes my mind a more positive place to be..
As for sleep I find the TV is a great companion to drift me off to sleep.. Mind you I am mindful of what to watch when lulling myself to sleep with TV.. I love the old shows and do quite like Austa IQ box so I can record something from the past such as Murder She Wrote or Beverly Hillbillies just something which take those moment off my mind and into a space in time where my mind will smile and cheerfully drift off to sleep. I am sure the experst would say I am wrong but it sure does work for me. If I wake and can not sleep I will bring to mind back to now what was I watching and smile and relax and go on back to sleep..
Thanks Graeme for a space and moment to write these words for whom ever may pass on by as I believe it is those passing moments which mean the most to me.. have downloaded the stress buddy and had the first time out while writing this will comment on what I think as I use it day by day..
Regards Chris K