I believe that life can be simpler than we often allow it to be. I like to over complicate my life with long to-do lists that grow but seldom shrink, eventually leading me down a spiral of despair when the realisation hits that I don’t have enough time to do it all (why do we torment ourselves so?!)
Then I take a breath. Often, I meditate. When I look at the to-do list again, I see that most of the things on there can wait, or will most likely resolve themselves. For the things that need doing now, I just get on with them. Somehow I manage to find the time I need, where previously I’d seen none.
It uses an enormous amount of energy to have the mind constantly trying to plan and scheme, and essentially live in the future. Very few things need to be done right now (except maybe breathing, and luckily that one takes care of itself), and often when I allow myself the time and space to follow my intuition about what to do next, good things happen.
Yesterday morning, instead of fretting about and attempting to unproductively tackle my to-do list, I chose to follow my heart and write a few rhymes. Some of them took only a few minutes to compose, but wow did they make a good start to the morning! A meditation pressed mute on my brain and then effortlessly handed me the last line of a rhyme I was stuck on. Then – somehow – a blog post got posted, washing got put away, phone calls got made, the paperwork got done.
I can’t explain it fully, I just know that it works.
Click here to read one of yesterday morning’s rhymes. It was the last line I got stuck on and, weirdly, it popped into my head in a Yorkshire accent, yet it works (though not so much when I read it aloud, as you’ll find out).
The thinking mind is what is busy. You have to stay in your heart. You have to be in your heart. Be in your heart. The rest is up here in your head where you are doing, doing, doing.
Ram Dass
If you’d like to find out more about meditation, then feel free to drop a comment in the comments section or email me.
In an effort to keep it simple, that’s it! How are you keeping things simple today?
Rae Cod’s Writing 
I love this post. Your message is so on trend for how I’ve been feeling this year. I’ve tried to live more simply, in my heart like Ram Dass suggested. I know that my mind gets in my way, yet it’s a noisy thing. Learning to quiet it is key, isn’t it?
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Thanks Ally. It can be so noisy can’t it? Like a stampeding horse that’s slipped the rope and rampaged through your flowerbed, tearing up all the beautiful things you’ve planted as you watch on in horror, until finally you’re able to lasso it and go into horse whisperer mode, soothing it back to calm.
It’s quite easy to see when we (& other people) are lost in our minds, but it it can take time to come back to our hearts, worth the persistence though, as you say a quiet mind is key.
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Hello Rae Cod! I found your blog through Ally Bean, and it’s nice to meet you! This is such a lovely post. You’re so right – it does use an enormous amount of energy to have the mind constantly trying to live in the future. That’s why I love to draw and paint and sew – it keeps me out of my head and in the present moment…for the most part!
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Lovely post Rae, it has reminded me to research ways I can fit meditation into my daily life without it becoming yet another thing on my “to do “ list that will remain unticked but will bother me that I haven’t fitted it in. I think I would win a prize for the most cluttered mind. Opening doors to cupboards in my house that are crammed with god knows what is a reflection of the state of my mind. Maybe start with a cupboard at a time ???
I have found spending time with my granddaughter is a fantastic way to be fully present and in the moment. Just playing in her world and seeing life through her eyes, is the most enlightening and joyous experience and makes me feel happy and connected to the important things. Xx
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Children will definitely do that for you, especially when they’re small 😊
A cupboard at a time, a meditation at a time, everything at a time is the only way to go because it’s the only way things can happen (I’m saying this to myself too as my default place to live is a future filled with dreams and whimsy 🤣🙈)
Go get that cupboard lovely Mandy 😚xx
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Wise words that make a lot of sense. Thank you xx
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Miss you lovely lady, hope we can catch up soon ❤️xxx
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