I love growth and transformation. I think most of us enjoy seeing this process take place in others. I would like to become more conscious of it in myself. For most of my life, my goals have been non-verbal and very intuitive. With the hope of becoming more consciously aware of them, I’m starting a new discipline of setting concrete goals for personal growth 3-4 times a month (weekly or so). Here are five to begin:

1. Five minutes of breath observation daily as a simple meditation.

I’ve heard the reasons to meditate. Breath is the link between mind, body and spirit, legends about Nirvana, enlightenment, getting in touch with a higher self. When I hear those things I’m all, “Righteous, dude. Let’s go.” But then the path is covered in brambles and life keeps calling me back.

I might sleep in on my day off, then lay in bed awake for an hour. As soon as I sit up to meditate, though, my inner task-master jumps up with delight, grabbing a megaphone. It begins reminding me that the floors should be swept, clothes mended, emails sent. There are groceries to buy, a cat to feed, a bed to make (and I’m still in it). With so much to do, I certainly can’t afford to be not-doing for very long. I can practically hear the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland crying, “I’m late! I’m late, for a very important date!” (Who is Maryann, anyway?) Realizing my mind has wandered, I bring it back to my breath. I deny the temptation to check and see how long I’ve been “sitting” (as they say). “Don’t look, don’t look,” becomes my new mantra. I realize again that my mind is wandering. I break down. I peek. It’s been one minute.

Clearly, I need practice. I will set a timer for 5 minutes (lame, yes, but will stop me from clock-watching). I will think of my breath. When I find myself thinking of other things, I will find my breath again. This is going to be just short of torture for me, but tough love, right? Rather than strive for enlightenment, which seems very, very far away. I think I should do this for the conscious time-out and the simple discipline of doing so.

2. Write for half an hour, five days this week.

I never know what’s hiding in this head of mine until I sit down to write, draw, or have creativity parties with kids.

Does writing this list of goals count for today? I think so …

3. Make a friendship bracelet.

Friends are important. Bracelets are fun. Therefore friendship bracelets are important and fun.

I think I have enough un(der)employed friends who don’t have to worry about whether knotted embroidery floss fits into the office dress code. Perfect.

4. Allow someone to be upset in my presence (perhaps upset with me) without getting upset.

You look at these girls and can’t help but think, “What did I do to incur such wrath?!?” Or at least I do. I have come to realize I let others’ moods and opinions influence me far too easily. I need to learn that others can be upset and I don’t have to follow. In fact, I could  help change their mood by keeping calm. Believe it or not, this idea is completely novel to me.

Now, how to do it? A friend told me to imagine myself in a protective bubble that the other person’s energy can’t penetrate. Visualization of emotional energy usually feels strange to me, but I understand the benefit. I will practice this.

5. Touch base for next website remodel.

My next website remodel is going to be for my sister, Lori. We should get together for some dreaming & scheming this week. Also, I want to hear about the amazing adventures she has in the works, like visiting Cuba to learn how sustainable gardening has strengthened communities, local economies and helped stop human trafficking. More on that later, I hope!

Wish me luck!

{…Wondering what would possess me to set weekly goals? Want to set a few for yourself? Check out MindPower for explanation and inspiration….}