Recently my hubby and I were traveling to Copenhagen with a toddler for the first time.
It all started going downhill when Ayaan tripped and cut his lip before we boarded. We boarded the plane and then got deplaned for mechanical reasons. We waited in the airport for 3 hours before they told us our flight was canceled.
I could feel myself getting extremely agitated. I felt tightness and tension in my body. I felt a heat in my face and my breathing went shallow.
I wasn’t smiling at strangers. I was snappy with my hubby. My mind was racing and my heart was heavy.
Being an avid meditator doesn’t mean I don’t feel resistance when things don’t go my way. It just means I’m faster at becoming aware that I’m disconnected from my center and then I do something about it.
So I did the only thing I could sitting in the terminal. I sat and meditated.
So as you can see, yes we all (even meditators) are all creatures of bad habits.
But there is good news. There are few simple steps to help you break the cycle of unhealthy actions and develop the skills to cultivate good ones.
It’s easy to develop patterns that take us away from inner peace which quickly turns to worry.
Whenever I speak in front of moms I always ask how many of them were taught meditation and mindfulness at home. Randomly I’ll have one or two people raise their hands but the majority vote is NO.
So no wonder it’s become our pattern to feel peaceful when things are going well. But when things don’t go my way, we get agitated. Our inner peace becomes dependent on the uncontrollable and unpredictable events of your life.
That’s not the way to find inner peace. and balance.
But here, we strive to become Mod-Zen Mamas so we can change that.
So let’s dig into the top 4 unwanted habits and how to shift our mindset.
[teal]Habits of Craving[/teal] – wanting, craving or addiction have a feeling of needing something and feeling restless until we get it. Whether our focus is on drinking, shopping, drugs, food, cigarettes or sex. When our sense of well-being and happiness becomes tied to getting the craving, we naturally have a habit that is stronger than our willpower.
During moments of craving, it’s important to stay with the uncomfortable and unpleasant feeling and let it ride through you.
Create space to pause before automatically indulging the craving and ask “ Is this action for my highest good?”
In these moments we have to remember to stand in our power and consciously make choices. So touch your thumb to your pointer, middle, ring and pinky finger as you slow your breath and mentally or out loud recite the following mantra:
ANCHOR MANTRA: “Stand in your power.”
[teal]Habits of Distraction[/teal] – If you become aware that your attention moves into an unhealthy habit of spacing out watching TV or numbing yourself while surfing the Internet, pause and ask yourself “Is this the best use of my precious time?
ANCHOR MANTRA: Repeat to yourself as you touch your thumb to each one of your fingers. “I am fully present”
[teal]Habits of Resisting[/teal] manifest as frustration, annoyance, impatience, anger, and judgment. We are defending and protect yourself from a perceived threat but in turn, we are resisting what is happening in this moment and thus creating mental friction and disease. When you notice yourself wanting something different to be happening in this moment, ask yourself “What am I experiencing right now?” This roots you into the moment.
ANCHOR MANTRA: Repeat to yourself as you touch your thumb to each one of your fingers. “Peace Begins With Me.”
[teal]Habits of Busyness[/teal]- habits of “doing”- is the feeling that we always on our way somewhere, feeling something bad will happen if we don’t keep moving and getting things done.
We fear we will be unproductive or be viewed as lazy if we don’t accomplish everything on our to-do-list NOW. When you feel frantic, agitated and stressed out rushing from task to task, ask yourself, “Am I inspired to do this action? Is it for my highest good and the highest good for all those involved?
ANCHOR MANTRA: Touch your fingertips and say, “Everything will be done.”
Much of the stress, anxiety, and suffering in our lives comes from believing our thoughts and beliefs. We get pulled into the drama and patterns.
Without present awareness, we act in habitual ways that don’t serve us. But you have a choice. To be aware of your habits and ask questions from a place of kindness and curiosity.
Now I’d love to hear from you…
Let me know which one of these 4 unwanted habits you are struggling most with right now?
State your commitment to us, the Universe and yourself that you are willing and ready to make a shift in your mindset. Remember that when you write something or say something out loud you are making a contract with the Universe to make it your reality.
So share as much in detail with us so we can support you in your journey.
Thank you so much like always for reading, sharing and inspiring us with your insight.
Be the change always,
