Ten Minutes a Day Keeps the &*%$# Away!

10 minutes a day advice & strategies mental fitness mindfulness practice quiet time the 5 c's

Quiet time. I used to fear the expanse of nothingness. I didn’t want to be alone with myself and my thoughts. Then there was the belief that doing nothing was equivalent to being lazy and no one needs another negative label. I may not know everything but I do know that I am not lazy.

I love being productive. I love getting caught up in the moment. I also know my tendency is to overproduce is strong and I work too much. In order for me to have a consistent practice, scheduling my "ME TIME" is a must, or at least until it is cemented into my daily routine.

My favorite spot in on my bedroom patio, first thing in the morning. When I close my eyes I hear things like the laughter of children in the playground. It reminds me of how it feels to be innocent and purely joyful.

I hear a distant train whistle, reminding me of my hometown, and the whistle of the wind through the dry tree tops.

I hear the birds, at least four different types of chirps, and I marvel at the freedom of their movement from branch to waterbath and feeder and back, and the diversity of their size and shape. I don’t ever want to live in a place where I don’t have birds surrounding me.

I smell my neighbors dryer sheets and it’s delightfully floral and crisp. (Clean sheets are one of my favorite things.) My thoughts roll to my own laundry -- which can wait. Back to my senses.

I see a car parked in the open spot and it's been there all night! Let it go, Cara, or should I say Gladys Kravitz? Let it go. Back to my senses.

I love the warmth of my mug in my hands however the coffee is too hot to sip. I smile at the red lips on my mug; so fabulously me!

Scanning my body for information, does anything require attention? How do I feel? All is well, especially comfy in these cute cotton pajamas.

My plants bring me pleasure. A symphony of lime buds will hopefully mature into juicy fruit. The variegated abutilon blossoms look like party dresses airing in the sun; a favorite of the hummingbirds.

I don’t need to plan the rest of the day or think about the week ahead— it all can wait while I sit with this one cup. Most importantly I don’t need to know HOW or WHEN or WHY. I savor every aspect of this ten minute sensory experience.

My snippet of solitude helps me remember that I am part of larger universe. I am a good woman, mother and friend. I am lovable and passionate. I make good decisions. Mistakes are not fatal. Creativity is in my blood. Everything is in divine order. I am forever grateful for my life. I am ready for the day.

I don't think I ever appreciated how quickly my body could calm itself until I started to study Mental Fitness. A simple 2 minute reset enhances the 5 C's: Creativity, Compassion, Clarity, Courage and Connection. It's really good medicine - no gimmics or gurus involved! All you have to do is pause!

I am not a morning person but carving out ten minutes a day keeps the &*%$# away or at least at arm's length until after I've had my coffee!

From the heart,

Ten Minutes a Day Keeps the &*%$# Away!

Quiet time. I used to fear the expanse of nothingness. I didn’t want to be alone with myself and my thoughts. Then there was the belief that doing nothing was equivalent to being lazy and no one needs another negative label. I may not know everything but I do know that I am not lazy.

I don’t need to plan the rest of the day or think about the week ahead— it all can wait while I sit with this one cup. Most importantly I don’t need to know HOW or WHEN or WHY. I savor every aspect of this ten minute sensory experience.

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