I have been thinking about meditation. I haven't actually meditated, but I have been thinking about it which is not the same thing. I've read the reports that say that 10 minutes of meditation a day is oh-so-good for you, but where to start? 

I just stumbled upon this TED talk by Andy Puddicombe which makes me think I could give it a try…

As you know from recent posts, I've been feeling a bit stressed lately so this comes at a good time for me because the next few weeks are looking crazy. Meditation, deep breaths, practicing saying 'no', are all things I'm going to try to do.

In related news: There is an outside chance that Bear may be making a move to be born. As I write this, around noon on Super Bowl Sunday, I figure that there is a chance that he will make a surprise appearance during the game, while Chris is onstage being a henchman, with Judy (Lorna's mom) there to catch him. Judy caught Elanor so she has had practice. If that is the case, I hope to be there for backup. Or, Bear won't be born today. Babies. You just can't set your watch by them!

I leave for Baytown, TX, in the morning to teach and lecture. (Just watch, Bear will come when I'm out of town!) I come home Wednesday. Thursday my doctor is going to re-open my tear duct. We both have high hopes that this time it works. As I lay on the sofa recuperating, I'll think meditative thoughts. Who knows, it may be that Bear waits until I'm up and around to be born. Lorna says that could happen too.

Christopher is in The Three Musketeers, a production by the Sherman Community Players. They have been in rehearsal for weeks, months even. There is swordplay which is, I think, what got his attention in the first place. That's Chris, inside the circle. With the sword :-).

Chris speaks very little, he dies onstage at least 4 times, maybe 5. He swordfights and he's very cute with his hair all slicked back. Trust me, he is by far the very best henchman onstage (although he says he is not).

This is also the son who is still expecting a baby, Bear (not a baby bear), at any time and who now has 3-hour performances 3-5 nights a week and who is working on a PhD while also being a hands-on father and husband. I look at him and know we are genetically related. 

What makes a person over-commit? I do it (obviously Chris does it) and yet somehow we meet deadlines. But as I age, I can tell that over-commitment leads to stress, and stress equals crankiness and wrinkles. I think I need to cut back on commitments but it is so hard to do. Do any of you have strategies that might help? I'm happy to hear them.

I have begun ignoring the phone and email for 2-3 hours a day and that is really helping.