Several times in my life I have encountered people who have given me tips on how they de-stress. (I guess it's obvious to complete strangers that I need help.) A lady on a bus ride in Canada told me that she takes all of her worries and pushes them into the center of the earth. Another lady at a camp I worked at recommended tightening each muscle and then letting the stress flow out as I release each individual muscle. Each encounter made an impression, just not enough to do anything about.
Then I had my twingles. Three girls within two years. None of whom seem to like sleeping at the same time. As I started reading on sleep training techniques (at 2 am waiting for my child to go back to sleep...again), meditation came up once again. They recommended teaching the child to meditate; to take all their worries and let them sink into the earth. I was desperate for sleep and ready to try anything! But I figured I'd better figure out how to do this myself before trying to teach it to a two year old currently fighting sleep.
So, the next morning in the shower, as babies screamed for my attention outside the door, I tried. I closed my eyes, breathed deeply, and thought, "Let all my stress flow down the drain with the water." I must admit, it was nice... For about 7 seconds. As I watched the water wash all my stress down the drain, my mind became free to ponder other deeper issues: where is the water taking my stress? Does this mean my stress is going to dissipate into all the local plants? Then what about the animals that eat those plants. Will they be getting some of my stress too? Oh crap...what about the rest of the city? They tell us not to pour chemicals down the drain because it pollutes our drinking water...have I just poisoned the whole city with my stress? This world is crazy enough. Why should other people have to deal with my stress? All because I let it flow down the drain!!!
Breathe...
Ok, no more meditation for me...it's too stressful!
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