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...
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