Why I Started Blogging and how Meditating helped change my life…

So let me give you the real, this blogging hobby has been therapeutic, actually very therapeutic. The secret is this: As a youngin’, probably about 3rd and 4th grade I formed a liking for writing. This unique writing that would take me to worlds that only existed to me because I got to create them and I got to live them, whenever I wanted! 

Graduate School was nothing that I truly expected (maybe I’ll work a blog about this later), but for the purpose of my words right here right now, lets just say Graduate School  trained me how to write, in a structure, the way that I was instructed. This was particularly good, because in the scholarly world, structure is crucial and you must cross every T and dot every I. But my college journey, both undergraduate and graduate have guided me down a path that somewhere along the way, I lost OR forgot my first encounter of leisure writing, creative writing and writing to sometimes, often times escape.

The second true reason why I started blogging is probably for the most lamest, nerdiest possible excuse I could find. As I enter my doctoral program this Fall, I am entering a more intimate realm of analyzing articles, books, data and information as well as creating my own artwork, a dissertation that will deem me entry into a very well deserving club. In order to continue to stay active mentally, I have been reading a ton of books (of my interest that I could probably use later) as well as picking up the hobby of blogging, as a simple method to practice articulating myself more effectively through writing.

Here’s the flat out truth, my intentions are well… I plan to continue this, probably until blogging gets outdated and our society moves towards the next functioning method of communicating, BUT I also don’t know how long this will be a thing for me. Aside from that, I wanted my blog entries to reflect my endless thought process and the fact that my brain is truly one of a kind from a sense that things flow better, when I can think without structure. If you have been reading the last few pieces, my overall blog has no topic, on purpose. Choosing what to write about and narrowing down my options made me feel as though I had to pick something and leave everything else behind, and I’m not about selling myself short, ever, especially if I have some say about it.

Sometimes, on my way into work or on my way home, thoughts and ideas pop up in my head. As I’ve gotten older I have learned and have been told to protect my thoughts, therefore the best ways to unleash these small articles of thinking is to write it, or type it and let it be free. Because when I write, each time a piece of me feels like I am connected back to myself, almost like it was just me hanging out in my Moma’s womb 26 years ago!

Speaking of moments of connecting to self, Blogging for me has also been paired with meditating. Practicing these two together did not happen by purpose, however, it has provided clarity and direction. Meditating looks different for everyone, seriously, it does…. How I choose to connect with my internal self may look different than the person standing next to me. In a world where social media encourages, unconsciously, people to compare theirselves to others, it is imperative to remember that meditation is YOUR journey and nobody else’s.

Naturally an introvert, a true introvert, I receive my energy from within. I love people, communities, social events, kickbacks, etc; but for the sake of not being mentally drained I deal with people in moderations. The simplest way to describe is this: after a day of work, do you:

1. Wish to go home, get cozy with maybe a book and a glass of wine.
2. Wish to go to the local hot spot for the evening and enjoy a different scene, music, people and dancing.

I choose #1, probably majority of the time and it actually helps center me. When I say “center me“, I mean…. It helps me to clear my head, relax and enjoy a moment of silence. FUN FACT: Most people don’t like silence, simply because they do not like to be alone.

…Back to mediating, here’s my weekly regimen:

1. Showering is the first thing I do when I enter the house –by showering I am able to wash away all of the external world and the smells that may have caught on to my clothing. Showering for me, feels like the beginning…
2. Eat –rather its takeout or I decided to prepare a meal, eating or feeding the soul is also a way to reset, when working and eating lunch, I sometimes eat on the go: Down the hallways of the high school, at my desk, or even in the car traveling Point A to Point B… and that’s not always healthy. Sitting in peace and eating is again rooted in love.
3. I usually watch an episode of my favorite show while sitting in my favorite chair but if I choose to not watch TV, I am most likely reading a few pages from a book.
4. MY FAVORITE PART, as odd or weird as it may sound at some point in the evening I sit in the dark with a lit candle, no TV on, no music, I sit in complete silence, and if there is an heaven on earth… This very moment of my mediation is my heaven! I try to wait until the sun begins to set so the rays can kiss my window seal and peak, even if just for a little bit of natural light but this is what brings me back to my core, it provides me guidance and I can actually hear my thoughts.

The world today is so fast, and if you ever have the opportunity to teach yourself how to meditate you will begin to look at everything externally different. Society is in a rush: A rush to get to work, a rush to pick up the kids, meet the deadline at your job, a rush to do everything for what?? To say you did it, to compare yourself to the social media influencers who probably most likely don’t care what you are doing, your mental health or who you are for that matter. Its easier said than done. Honest truth, for the last three years I have been rushing. Therefore my time became limited, as I had to spread it thin across the board. But meditating and blogging, gives me space to STOP, it gives me space to be free in a society where everything is timed and you better be early because to be on time is to be late! Blogging and Meditating helped change my life in a way that has aided in proper mental health… Respect your brain enough to give it time to recuperate outside of sleep. The only time your brain has an opportunity to rest should NOT be when you pass out from a long day of work, that is not healthy.

My goal is not to become a top blogger, again, I am uninterested on satisfying the masses.  My goal is to take care of me, ALL of me, because I know I have a destiny that requires me to create pathways for young people to be their best self. In order for me to do that, I have to make sure I show up as pure, prepared and persistent so I can pass positive energy and not an energy tainted with my issues and unhealthy vibes. I must admit, it is a working progress, but its a process so worth it.

Think about this:Learning to love yourself through meditation provides a level of comfortably, no matter the environment or the surrounding people, the results from meditation is simply… Love.

Be Mentally Rich,

Courtney B.

Courtney Morris will be a 1st year Doctoral Student in Educational Leadership, her research focuses on Integrating Hip Hop Culture and Urban Education, as well as storytelling and using current events as teaching methods in the realm of Education. Courtney has a sub interest in leadership development among urban education and students of color, community development and mental health amongst black communities. Courtney obtained her Associates of Arts from Schoolcraft College, Bachelors of Science in Health Administration (concentration in Social Work), Masters of Arts in Higher Education/Student Affairs and Graduate Certification in Academic Advising. Feel Free to connect with Courtney via email at Connect@BeMentallyRich.com or via instagram at @MsCourtneyBrieAnn