I'm not sure, but I do know that I'm proud of making it through 2020, changed but still standing, mostly. So, as I leap into 2021, I’m working less on fixing myself and more on loving myself.
I already meditate almost daily with the Ziva technique that Emily Fletcher describes in her fantastic book, Stress Less and Accomplish More. I’m so grateful that my BFF gave me the gift of this calming practice, which truly saved my sanity last year.
I’m also inspired by Dan Harris’ Ten Percent Happier podcast. He kicked off the year with a 21-day Lovingkindness meditation challenge that I’m participating in. He and the TPH instructors lead us through various meditations, with the basic tenet that working on positive messaging makes us happier, and there is science to prove it.
I find Loving-kindness meditation profoundly resonates with me. I particularly love one mantra that reminds us that we are not broken objects, something to be fixed or whipped into shape, as resolutions often propose to do. Instead, I’m working on the idea that I’m enough. Sure, there are areas within myself to explore and grow, but I'm good as I am, in the body I have, with the things I have, with the thoughts and emotions that I have.
When I started to pay attention, it’s shocking how often I was directing negative messages to myself.
Take exercise. It's easy to approach physical fitness with more than a little 'no pain, no gain' attitude, but lately, I find myself less interested in the pain part.