It all starts when you stop.
I know, it doesn’t make sense, but it’s true. There are so many things you have to stop before you start something.
For me, the things I have to stop are over-thinking, procrastinating and perfectionism. But there’s one other thing that’s actually at the root of all 3 of these, and needs to be taken care of before anything else.
I need to stop thinking.
When was the last time you allowed your mind to rest? I don’t mean sleeping, although that always sounds good. What I’m talking about here is a focused, determined and decidedly non-thoughtful period where you tried your very best to focus on just one sensation, to the exclusion of all others. This isn’t new, it’s practice that has been followed for thousands of years.
It’s a simple little thing called meditation.
And I’m kind of joking when I say simple, because although the concept is, it’s also one of the hardest things that I have ever tried to do.
For someone like me, who has a mind that is always watching, seeking, learning, analyzing, planning, jumping, writing and observing, trying to maintain a single focus is physically draining, emotionally demanding and sometimes just downright disheartening.
But I try to practice nonetheless.
Because trying to find a moment of silence in my mind is where my greatest changes have begun. When I can form an idea, a plan, a process or a goal, in the absence of all the noise and negativity that usually exists inside of my head, I can see the future for what it can be.
I can feel excited, engaged, present and powerful in planning the steps necessary to make whatever moves I need to execute on the inspiration that is guiding me.
And in that moment, I can become the person I desire to be.
If you’ve ever experienced what I’m talking about, you’ll understand the incredible power that is present when you focus all of your awareness, intelligence and passion into a single thought, and follow it with all your heart. The things we can do are absolutely incredible, but often we default to the least we need to do…
All because there’s too much noise inside of our head.
So today, I invite you to stop for a few minutes, sit comfortably, and just breathe. Focus on the sensation of breathing, feeling the breath enter and leave your body, your lungs inflate and deflate through the movement of air, and the gentle sounds and rhythm of your soul as you try to consistently focus on just the action of breathing.
You’ll probably realize just how hard it is to stay focused on that one thing.
But I’ll promise you this. The more you practice, the calmer your mind will be become, the more focused and present you’ll be, and the less your brain will run away from you.
As your thoughts become more streamlined, you’ll find the peace and serenity that allows you to chart a course for your life, rather than allowing life to determine a course for you.
If you desire peace, prosperity, passion and productivity, just stop doing everything.
Start breathing.
And believe.
— Dr. Alan Barnes
@maddrbmusings