Meditation is Hard. That's a Feature, Not a Bug.

“Nothing worth having comes easy”

— Theodore Roosevelt (paraphrased)

Meditation can be described as "observing what is." It is a lot of things—calming, frustrating, a pain, a burden, a solace, a journey... But most people can agree that it is hard. "I can't even do 5 minutes," I have heard. Actually you can; you just may not like it. In fact you may hate it. Which means you need it. Doesn't that suck? Yes and no.

Phosphenes – What You See When You Close Your Eyes

I challenge you to stop reading, set a timer for a minute, and close your eyes.

How was it?

For me, it went like this:

"Wow, it's loud outside."

"What do I do with my hands?"

"No, that's not comfortable."

"Ok, how's my breathing?"

"That doesn't feel right."

"Ok, whatever, that breath was pretty good."

"How much time is left? Don't look at your watch!"

"Breathe."

"Ok, that's alright."

"Wow my couch fabric is rough."

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

"Whew."

It's all good; I haven't done this in a while, and clearly I'm out of practice. (heh.) I'm practiced enough to know that it's really ok that my money-brain was in charge during this mini-session. That guy's a jerk.

The most important key to a "successful" meditation practice is to stop fretting and just do it. Even one minute is useful, which you will see if you start doing it on a regular or even irregular basis. (Like exercise, you get out what you put in.)

Developing, or strengthening, the ability to just sit with yourself is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Like it or not, you are and always will be your own best friend. She/You are the only one who will be there your whole life, and you will not die alone—because of her.

Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have.

—Robert Holden

Meditation is a way to sit in comfortable silence with your best friend. You might be mad at her, bored with her, or feel lucky to have her. Either way, doesn't she deserve a little of your time and attention?

Make time for your best friend by sitting together often. I recommend starting with 5 minutes every morning. It probably won't be easy, but I think soon you'll come to see that time as very special.

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P.S. I am grateful to myself for taking the time to write this. Even if I am the only reader, the act of writing it was self-care.