When Your Plate Is Overflowing
I’m going to keep this short and to the point.
If your plate is overflowing with responsibilities and commitments to others or to yourself — or with thoughts and emotions that challenge your inner harmony and peace of mind:
STOP. EAT. DIGEST.
STOP
- Don’t add anything new to your plate.
- Say, “No, thank you.” to anything else that will add to your plate.
- Don’t add another thing to your plate no matter how enticing it is, or how much someone coaxes.
- Get it? NO NEW STUFF. PERIOD.
- FINISH WHAT’S ALREADY ON YOUR PLATE!
EAT
- SLOW DOWN. Eat only one thing at a time. Focus and chew carefully before swallowing.
- SIMPLIFY. Separate what is edible and nourishing from the garnish, sauces, and junk.
- ELIMINATE. Think back to your ONE GOAL for the year and eliminate anything that does not feed, nourish, or serve that goal.
- SHARE. Ask around for someone who would love to help you eat some of what you have.
DIGEST
- PROCESS. Take time to rest and let the plate you just finished digest.
- REFLECT. Reflect on how your plate got too full in the first place. Reflect on what thought patterns and behaviors you need to shift to keep it from happening again.
- RESOLVE. Resolve to develop a more discriminating palette so you will be able to recognize the wisest path to stay focused on, and accomplish, your ONE goal for the year..
If you want to know how meditators navigate difficulties in the world and in their lives, join us in a group meditation!