The Mindful Homeschool

May I be at peace.

May my heart remain open.

May I awaken to the light of my own nature.

May I be healed.

May I be a source of healing for all beings.

– Buddhist Tradition

I will protect myself from people who take more than they give.

I will surround myself with loving, giving people.

I was just reading a magazine that I get from our local health club.  It is called “Experience Life” and it is really good.  There is an article in the April 2008 issue that really struck a chord with me today. 

I picked up the magazine to read it today because of the cover.  It shows Dara Torres, the Olympic athlete, on the cover.  Now I know who she is!

The article that got me really thinking was entitled, “All Over It:  How to Eliminate Goal-Blocking Obstacles for Good.”  Here is the line that made me think:  “…the most direct way to develop mindfulness is through daily meditation.”  This was a huge “aha!” for me.  I have been stressing lately over the return to “homeschool”.  That, and of course, all of the other drama in our lives has me feeling a lot more “mindless” than “mindful”. 

There was a time not too long ago (last year, perhaps?) when I was trying to meditate daily.  But then it got too hard and I gave it up.  Maybe it is time to put it back in the daily routine.  Maybe that would be a good way for me to prepare for the upcoming school year, mitigate the stress of the neighborhood situation, and learn to think more positively.

So, that is just what I am going to do.  Meditate.  I will be looking for inspiration from others.  I read daily from my Meditations from the Mat book but I have not been taking the time to sit in stillness with myself.  I am hoping this will help me move through the school year with less stress and anxiety.