Rituals for Feeling Good

by Karen Elizaga | Posted: October 5th, 2009 | No Comments »

Twice a week in the morning, as many people make an early commute to work, I cross New York City’s Central Park to work out with awesome trainers at E at Equinox Fitness on Columbus Circle.  Aiming each time to practice what I preach, I stuff my iPhone out of easy reach so that I can instead walk mindfully for the 15-20 minutes it takes for me to get there, instead of getting absorbed in whatever emails or calls that pop up.  I (often but not every time) use my walk to do my gratitude practice and enjoy being mindful and present – a real challenge when I constantly multi-task my way through everyday.  For myself and for my clients, I find it’s important to get into a positive mindset so that we can clear any self-limiting beliefs and put ourselves in optimal states of productivity.

Last week, I noticed and was inspired by others being mindful and present, and I took note of their personal methods of feeling good. The first guy – dressed in a luxurious suit probably purchased somewhere on Madison Avenue – walked by as he enthusiastically air-guitared his way to work.  He walked (actually, almost leapt), eyes half-closed, strumming passionately down the street, without a care as to who was watching.

And then came serenity.  As she approached, a woman, lugging briefcase, gymbag and, of course, oversized purse (the kind all New York women carry), simply sported a perma-smile as she looked up at the blue sky.  I wondered what she was meditating on.

When I reached Columbus Circle, the fountains at full blast drowned out the traffic cacophony.  There, on the benches, I saw two separate exercises.  One man, smart in business casual, sat quietly and ever so lovingly cupped a warm drink in both of his hands.  Gently.  Eyes closed and facing directly in the direction of the sun, he seemed to be doing some sort of meditation.  His posture would have been more natural on a yoga mat in a studio, rather than on a bench in midtown Manhattan.

And my favorite, as I turned to exit the Circle, was a man in black jeans and a tattered sweater, facing the fountains also with his eyes closed.  He must have been blasting his ipod into his ears as he danced energetically in his seat.  He looked so happy.

All of these people, thoroughly immersed in their own personal moments, made me smile.  And they made me think of how easy it is to take time to exercise our minds and spirits even in the rush of any work day.  I can’t tell you how long each exercise was – I saw each for only seconds as I made my way to the gym.  But I can tell you that they made our collective day better as a result.

What’s your ritual?  What makes you smile and sets you up for a super productive everyday?