Our world is insane - there's no two ways about it. There is very little (if anything) we have control over in this world, and we are slaves to this hectic lifestyle. Social media, television, hollywood gossip. Texting, music, videos. It's all at our fingertips and it keeps us far busier than we probably should be.
I even noticed the other day on my college campus - there are signs on the banisters that say "Keep it safe, don't text and walk."
We can't even put our phones down to safely walk from one classroom to another.
So where, in the business of our days, can we find a moment of peace? Half the people I know even take their phones to the BATHROOM with them.
To be in a state of prayer and meditation is difficult in our culture. We are used to having instant access to information and solutions for problems. We AREN'T used to just sitting back and breathing. But prayer doesn't change God. Meditation doesn't change the world around us. The hectic world will be just as hectic whether you sit in peace for 20 minutes or not.
These things, though? They change US. They're good for US. OUR hearts are refilled, OUR minds are calmed.
OUR VIEWS OF THIS HECTIC WORLD ARE CHANGED.
For one week, starting when you read this, I challenge you to shut up and listen. Listen to the wind, to the birds, to calm music. Let yourself be fully present in these things. Let yourself be fully present in every breath you take. Let yourself feel each breath and recognize the gift of life that stirs within you. If meditation for you is prayer, be open to the ways in which God is working in and through you. Instead of asking, accept that your life is already full of blessing. Sit in silence with God and be open to His message to you.
Do this once every day for 15 minutes. Whether it's on a walk, on your lunchbreak, when you first wake up every morning or before you head to bed. Don't go over your to-do list, don't think about things you should get done, or didn't finish. Don't think about your annoying co-worker or the guy who cut you off in traffic. Shut out the hectic world. Just listen.