I had such an intense day yesterday! My dear friend Mary Lynn Rajskub who is also a guest on our March 8th show, shot a talk show pilot with the E! network. I was honored that she and her team invited me to do a small segment for them. As any pilot taping goes, it takes a lot longer than anyone expects. Whether it be technical issues or flubbing a line, you have to repeat everything over and over until you get just the right take. Lucky for me, I got to go last! When I walked out onto the stage, the poor audience was appropriately tired and ready to leave. I realized in that moment I had a choice.  I could:

1. Get all nervous, feel like they were annoyed with me and rush what I was doing.
2. Take a moment to connect with my inner self, to find the strength and the courage so that my two minutes with the audience would feel fun and uplifting.

I decided to utilize a meditation tool that I often use when I’m stressed.  As the lights went up and the cameras came our way, my intention was to uplift and light up the room. I gave my “crazy” mind the permission to be quiet and simply stated in my head – just have fun.  And that is exactly what I did.  I call these moments “brief conscious meditation“. I used to think you had to sit in the lotus position in a quiet space in order to find your connection. I would need the perfect candle, the right kind of incense, or the perfect zen cushion. That is what spiritual people do, right?  But what about those moments when you are in the grocery store and someone cuts you off?  Or when you’re at a parent-teacher conference?  Or if you’re stuck in traffic? I can’t light a candle on my dash board and start chanting as I am merging lanes in traffic!  But I can set my intention.  I can take a moment during my work day, or at a family event, or even when I’m nervous up on stage to set the intention.  In fact, I do this dozens of times a day.  It’s my conscious meditation.  In my opinion, it’s easy to find your center when you’re alone in your meditation room.  But how easily can you find your center in the midst of high energy or chaos?

This week I invite you to try and find your center several times a day for just one minute, rather than once a day for 20 – 30 mins.  If you go to the mall, set your intention to be connected.  Take in the beauty of a window display and remember that it’s an expression of an artisan. As you are driving on the highway, appreciate all the energy around you, the power of your vehicle, and the trees on the side of the road.  To be a balanced being we must remind ourselves that we are in control of setting the tone of our day!