Returning from India, after several weeks on retreat and holidays – exploring temples, meditating and practicing yoga for extended periods, laughing with local village men and women, walks along the beach, shopping for colourful fabrics and gifts, savouring spices and zesty foods – having amazing experiences without having to worry about cooking, cleaning or other daily chores, it would be easy to feel sad and regret being back home.
But that’s not the case. Like many clients and students I work with, I used to think that being truly content and calm was only possible when I was on holidays. During those times when I wasn’t working, when I didn’t have bills to pay and when I didn’t have to do things I didn’t want to do. Then after one holiday I had to plan the next holiday to get me through.
Contentment and calm in daily life is closer to us than we might think. At our core, in our heart we are peacefully happy. It’s our nature. It’s the very foundation of our being, yet somehow along the pathway of life, we’ve managed to ‘unlearn’ and forget this.
Contentment and calm is about creating – and recreating – daily balance so that we can know this within. It’s about being clear about our real priorities and putting them into practice everyday. Holidays and taking regular time-off from work are essential for our wellbeing. But if we realise that we don’t have to be on holidays in order to feel peaceful or happy with ourselves, then we can save ourselves a lot of extra energy, effort and frustration. Not to mention money. Being home and back working at Momentum, despite the fact that I had business emails and projects to catch up on, bills to pay, a garden to tend and meals to prepare, I found that I could really enjoy these responsibilities and duties. I could commit to simply doing each task fully – living in the moment without wishing I was back on retreat. I could also relish moments of joy like gazing up at the golden full-moon. And I’ve come to realise that its because of a few simple, fundamental things that have become my way-of-life over the years, things that I do everyday that don’t take a lot of time, that has allowed a deep, positive impact to accummulate. Sure, my life is no bed of roses, I still have my moments! But generally I’m able to be calm and content most days, no matter what I’m doing or what life demands of me. The secret is simple and often. So here they are.
Meditate in the early-morning. Getting up around sunrise and spending (at least) the first 10 minutes of every day sitting in silent meditation or contemplation is profoundly powerful. Relax as you focus on the natural breath. Doing this connects you within and creates a calm focus for the day ahead. Practice gratitude. Writing in a journal about five things, people, opportunities or your character-traits that you are grateful for, big or small cultivates genuine gratitude and compassion. Try and make your five different everyday. This practice is heart-opening and expands your presence. The vibration of gratitude makes us more receptive to the good in life. Know your purpose. Knowing what you’re doing and why you’re doing it is personally empowering. Find out the bigger purpose to you and your life, that underpins everything that you do. And if you aren’t sure about this, then start to question yourself or seek some life coaching support to clarify it. It makes all the difference! It’s this type of approach that we all need to adopt if we are sincere about wanting to be calm and content in our everyday lives. Then our holidays can truly add to our wellbeing and to the rich tapestry of our life-experience, rather than become a desperate escape from the very life that beckons us to realise who we are and embrace this, each and every day.
How will you start your day tomorrow?
Natalie
