Have you ever heard the term “time poverty?” There are 24 hours in a day. Take a look at how you are spending your time. How much time is devoted to meeting your own needs? Are you stretching yourself thin meeting the needs of others? It’s important to maintain a balance in your life – a balance of external obligations and obligations to yourself. When you are off balance things don’t function in a healthy, meaningful way. Time is a precious commodity that cannot be renewed. Be mindful of what you are spending it on.
When you have too much energy flowing into your heart chakra you tend to give too much of yourself to others. You might feel guilty saying no to requests. Maybe you have a hard time establishing boundaries with those who are infringing on your time. Are you too often the “go to” person for everyone and everything? Slowing the energy to this chakra will help you reclaim your time. To assist in this, you might purchase a pink colored stone such as rose quartz or a green colored stone like jade to wear or carry around.
It’s a good idea to do this meditation in the open air. If that’s not possible, consider doing it in a room where you can open a window. Allow the flow of air to mingle with the flow of energy to your heart chakra. You’ll need a pad of paper and writing utensils to do this meditation. Sit quietly and take a few deep breaths. Draw a line down the middle of the paper. On the left-hand side write down commitments you made that you really don’t want to do. Don’t censor yourself. This exercise is only meant for your eyes. Feel free to include past obligations you committed to that still bother you. Next to each write down the time commitment and/or financial commitment associated with the obligation. Finally write down the person to whom you made the commitment. Notice if there’s a pattern to who you are committing to. Breathe deeply and forgive yourself for over committing. On the right-hand side of the column write down what you could have said to decline the obligation. Write freely and honestly without being mean-spirited. Begin to empower yourself to be able to decline obligations without guilt. Write down phrases that you are comfortable saying and begin to practice saying them after this exercise is over so that they easily flow off of your mouth. Take in a final deep breathe.
“When I respect my time, I respect myself.”