What are you filling your mind with? What are you musing upon, reflecting on, what things are you considering today?
Sometimes when I get wrapped up in the throes of launching a new project, or just simply taking on too many projects, I don’t quite find I have enough time to sit leisurely and read an entire book. (This is something that I’d love to change, of course–but all in good time).
Lately I’ve started the habit of keeping two books by my bed that I love and opening them up to a random page to read as meditations before bed. No matter how busy the day, or how late I work, I don’t want to go to bed dreaming of work emails and screens and just re-playing the scenes of the day. And rather than beat myself up for not having time to read an entire book, I like to find books that are easy to just read a page or two of; something that will help me get into a sleep mindset.
There’s also importance in being careful what you “feed” yourself before bed, or what you put into your brain. I’ve noticed on the nights I stay up late watching trashy reality television, sometimes these characters will permeate my dreams, and I find myself ruminating obsessively in my dreams over details on the latest bachelorette episode (and I can’t stand to think that I spent my night considering this)–so I’m opting for a new strategy. Instead, I’ve started feeding myself these two favorites–just a page at a time:
A Return To Love, by Marianne Williamson
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…”
“Achievement doesn’t come from what we do, but from who we are. Our worldly power results from our personal power. Our career is an extension of our personality.”
“The universe will always support our integrity.”
“Having money means we have more money with which to employ other people and heal the world.”
Reflections on the Art of Living, A Joseph Campbell Companion
Selected and Edited by Diane K. Osbon
“The privilege of a lifetime is being you who are. The goal of the hero trip down to the jewel point is to find those levels in the psyche that open, open, open and finally open to the mystery of your Self being Buddha consciousness or the Christ. That’s the journey.”
“Fear of your power is what commits you to the lower system.”
“Ritual introduces you to the meaning of what’s going on.”
What do you read to put in your mind? Or rather, what are you currently filling your mind with? I love books for reflection, contemplation, ritual, and meditation–so if you have a recommendation, let me know!
