This week has been challenging which is a bummer as it is supposed to be my “Risky Business” week. The challenges have been in the forms of a migraine, chili cook off,  and a snow storm. My answer to all of it is meditation.

Since Tuesday I have been dealing with a migraine in all of its stages. I will admit now I didn’t realize it was a migraine until yesterday, but I used breathing and meditation with the help of Aleve to get through it. Then when I could I slept. It worked well in helping me mange the panic attack, dark thoughts and pain that I experience. It hasn’t gotten rid of the migraine, but at least I am conscious.

On Thursday my office held the annual chili cook off. I work from home or take this day off as I am allergic to the spices. This should give you an idea as to the quality of our ventilation system and just how Irish I really am. Today it appears that everyone is reheating the chili for lunch. My approach is Benadryl and meditation. I find that the meditation allows me to check what my body is doing and my hope is that I can avoid the emergency room this year. There is no panicking as the mediation is keeping me nice and centered.

This weekend was to be a girls weekend with Neece and her daughter. Unfortunately I have had to cancel because of the migraine. I am too shaky to drive four hours and I know it. Driving in to work this morning I was all over the road. The second reason is York, Pennsylvania is now expecting between six and twelve inches of snow. In the past cancelling because of a migraine would cause me to belittle myself. I would honestly beat myself up for being a wimp. Now I realize it is self-care. Migraines take a toll on my coördination and I know it. It is better to error on the side of safety, for myself and others on the road. Lets face it I know that Neece and Jalyssa would be mad as all get out if I got in to an accident instead of being smart about it.

Meditation is becoming more and more of a pivotal tool in my life. It is helping me in ways that I never dreamed of. The ability to just observe what is going on is proving to be very beneficial. It is helping me to avoid getting sucked in to the vortex of misery time and time again.

Give it a try. Notice how everything passes by if you allow it.