By Christine George, President of Marketing and Business Development

Do you remember a time when the only way someone could get in touch with you was when they called you at home or in the office?  Do you remember the phones in those days?  They weighed about 5lbs, had a spiral cord and rotary dial?  Let’s take it one step further, remember no call waiting and no voice mail, not even an answering machine?!

On one hand, I panic at the thought of not having my phone and not having the ability to connect.  On the other hand however, I long for it, for the freedom to not be available, to have time to think and space to reflect.

Technology has made our lives more convenient.  It has allowed us to move faster and to be more competitive.   In doing so, it has removed all boundaries, allowing for every part of our lives to overlap so that we are constantly distracted by a multitude of demands and are never, ever able to finish a single thought.  We have lost our ability to just, be.

Meditation is a practice that allows us to move from thinking into being.  It’s a practice that goes back thousands of years and spans across many religions from the Buddhists to the Christians to the Jews.  I like to think of meditation as a reset button.  It teaches me that by focusing on breathing, I can slow down my mind and quiet the noise.  I can’t say that I have ever been able to fully let go of the noise but that’s why they call it practice.  It’s like anything; playing golf or converting leads, it takes practice.  You need to be dedicated and practice consistently.  You WILL see results if you’re willing to do so.   Start with one minute a day and slowly move to two, five, ten and maybe even 30 minutes or longer.

There are some great apps out there that provide music and guided meditation.  I use calm.   I have it on my phone and love that it’s accessible wherever I go, in a car, airplane or hotel.  I also use Mozart’s lullaby station on Pandora.  I came upon it when my son was an infant and found that it was just as helpful for me as it was for him.  I often use it on car rides or if I’m having trouble sleeping.

Meditation isn’t easy but then again, nothing worth doing is easy, right?  With practice, it can be a gateway to bringing you the peace of mind and clarity to be more present in your life and to make decisions that will bring you more happiness.