Calm - Personal Practice

It's amazing how time flies when you are working on something you feel passion for!

I've been working on a few projects that are dear to my heart for over a year and a half.  In this time I've taken many breaks from the main project, but it's always on my mind.

In recent months I have been digging a little deeper into the project, but here and there I've let myself get overwhelmed by my vision.  It's amazing how I can talk myself into multiple paths with one simple objective.

Then a few weeks back I buckled down and put a plan together.  The great thing about this plan is that I'm holding myself accountable by following the methodology of the project I'm working on.    

I know, based on reflection, that when I get into a project my standard approach is to devote myself completely to the project.  This is good and bad.

It's good that time flies and I feel a sense of accomplishment.

It's bad that I get so involved that I forget to be in the moment.  I start to think of the project in terms of perfection.

If interrupted I get anxious because I want to be working on the project.

If I get too close to a date in my plan that I need to deliver on, I feel pressure.

My world starts to get a bit chaotic as I push toward the future.

While reflecting I found myself thinking back to something I use to say years ago "patience is a virtue, of which I have none".  I use to think that was funny to say.  Now, I don't think it's so funny.  

Now when I catch myself thinking of that old saying, I'll practice breathing.  

I'll remind myself that the joy of life and of the project is in each moment.  I'll tell myself I can't predict exactly how things will turn out.  

If my project goes to plan it will evolve and get better and better over time, but I can't do it all on my own and I won't be perfect.

So I pat myself on my back for being self aware, but realize I still have a lot of practice to do.

I need to practice:

* Taking breaks and looking around me

* Remembering that nothing is perfect, least of all me.

* Breathing and staying calm 

I know I should be patient and calm as I practice.

But, can I be?

Back to practice to see!

Calm - Yoga Lesson

Each of us has had moments were we struggle to be calm.

At times you may feel pressure to correct something or to complete something ahead of schedule.

In these moments it's easy to think of only the past or the future.

When this is happening you may find yourself holding your breath and thinking you need to hurry up and fix your mistake or you need to be an overachiever and get further ahead.

Possibly you feel the world is spinning out of control and you are in complete chaos.  Maybe you start to feel there's no time to do everything you need to do.

When you find yourself feeling this way, why not ask yourself if you can be calm?

Why not implement a practice of noticing when you are feeling pressure and feeling anxious?

Then ask yourself if you can practice breathing deeply and find your calm center.

As you practice your breath, look up from what you are doing and observe what is around you.

Then, as you work to correct the past or work to get ahead, remind yourself the importance of the moment you are in, the joy of having the moment and being patient with it.

Practice your calm.