Taking a Moment to Meditate

Yesterday my daughter and I joined friends, and strangers, to participate in the "Yo Baby, Relax" in Oswego, New York. A friend's daughter and her friend are working on their Silver Project for Girl Scouts and this workshop and exercise session was part of the project. These two young ladies did a great job. They found a professional to share his expertise and lead some calming and meditation exercises, along with tidbits of how we can relax in stressful situations or while at work or in school. 

Although this isn't my typical mode of relaxation or meditation, I learned new techniques to help me chill and realized some of the things I do when stressed, are research based relaxation techniques. I think my favorite part of the entire experience was to see so many come together for different reasons, from different backgrounds, and religions to spend time with their kids and friends, and to learn how to relax in the midst of the craziness of our modern schedules. 

At one point, we were asked to clear our minds and become balanced with the earth or space around us (or something like this), I'll be honest, I felt awkward but used this quiet time to talk to God. I thanked Him for the outpouring of support for the girls, for the fellowship with friends, and the quiet time of relaxation with our daughter. There was much to be thankful for, so I used this time of meditation to express my thanks to God. 

It's important for us all to remember that because we share different beliefs than others, there are things we can learn from them and their beliefs. It doesn't mean we should try to change each other but instead, embrace our differences and build each other up. As Christians, it's a Biblical concept to "build each other up" and it's also a human need, to encourage and build each other up. With more positive encouragement to each other, imagine how our circle of control could be influenced.

"So encourage each other and build each other up,
just as you are already doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

Do you have a strategy to share to enhance
​one's personal meditation time?