When I was in college, I experienced a heavy, deep bout of depression in my last year. I was struggling to sleep. I was struggling to stay asleep. I was a wreck. I went almost a month in that state with almost no help. Even when I talked to an on-campus doctor about it, he said that only crazy people don’t sleep. He wasn’t joking, so I remember going back to my room at my apartment completely defeated.
Somewhere in there, my mom printed out a copy of Just For Today which is credited to Abraham Lincoln. I distinctly remember her giving it to me and telling me three very powerful words. Never give up. She sincerely meant it.
Never give up. Those words I live by today.
Yesterday, I caught myself mid-morning not having done my morning meditation. I was frustrated because I had a streak of over two weeks going. I decided right then and there that I wasn’t going to give up. I wasn’t going to worry about it. I would get my afternoon meditation in and call it good.
Progress, not perfection. That’s another slogan I have learned over the years. I don’t have to be perfect with my meditation practice. When I miss one, I make a concerted effort to make the next one. Nothing in life is perfect. My meditation will not be perfect either.
I am really glad that I didn’t give up and got my afternoon meditation in yesterday. I meditated this morning. And then, this afternoon, I found myself too busy to meditate. That’s okay. I am doing way better than I have in the past several years. According to my TM app, my record is a 30-day meditation streak. I’ll get there again. Steady wins the race.
I am noticing the benefits of daily meditation. My mind is much clearer. I am more focused. I have more energy. I have been sleeping more deeply. I attribute it all to Transcendental Meditation.
If you haven’t given it a shot, I highly recommend considering it.
Meditate. Enjoy!