AUGUST'S BEST YOU CHALLENGE: MEDITATION

As July comes to a close, it's time to begin re-framing our goals for the month of August. That means wrapping up our July Best You Challenge and preparing for our August Challenge. This challenge comes straight from our Phorbe Queen of the Month, Melione. During our interview, Melione shared a piece of her daily ritual with me, that I think would be great for us all to adapt in our lives. But first, let's recap July's Power Posing Challenge.

Recap of July's Power Posing Challenge

This month's challenge has been my favorite of our challenges so far. I mean, five minutes of hyping yourself up everyday was right up my alley. The Power Posing challenge did three things for me:

1. It helped me start each day on a positive up beat.

They say a smile can brighten up anybody's day, even if you're not in a happy mood. This challenge did just that for me whether I woke up on the right side of the bed or the sour side.

2. It reminded me of my goals and thus helped me forge through my to do list every day.

Completing this challenge every morning helped me recite my affirmations and mantras every day. It was the ultimate fuel to help me conquer my daily tasks and goals. At the end of a long day of driving or being out and about with my sisters, it reminded me that there were still other daily tasks I needed to complete. It was similar to the movies. Whenever I just wanted to call it quits for the day, I'd hear my voice reciting my own goals and feel the overwhelming urge to power through.

3. It gave me the confidence to be bold and finally make some decisions on some things I've been putting off.

I'll speak more about this in Wednesday's blog post. For now, I will just say that I was finally able to say no to something that has been stressing me out for months.

All in all, I would say my power 90 has increased again to a power 95. I will definitely continue power posing in the morning.

August's Best You Challenge

This month we will be meditating. Meditation is defined in the dictionary as to " think deeply or focus one's mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation". I know when you think of meditation you think of some hippie sitting on a pillow on the floor humming "mmm's" and "ooohh's". But really, meditation can be anything you want it to be.

As the definition states, people meditate for multiple different reasons. I believe meditation is important for the Phorbe Queen to help us stay grounded and present in our day to day lives. When I meditate, I am quieting my mind and blocking out the noise around me. I am not thinking of the past or the future. I am only thinking of myself, right now, in this moment.

Melione, states that meditation allows her time to pause and reflect. In such a busy world with such a hectic schedule it gives her a moment of reprieve.

Queens, life can be overwhelming. Meditation is a way for you to take time to check in with yourself, rest, and stay connected with your deepest self.

A Twist of Gratitude

This month's challenge will cause for us to meditate on gratitude; a great tool to use on the path towards success. In fact, any article you read on the habits of successful people will list practicing gratitude. Another way to describe it would be counting your blessings. In essence, practicing gratitude is taking a moment to remember all of that you have and all that you have been able to accomplish. It's stopping to smell the roses. When we do this, we are again, grounding ourselves. This allows us to shift our attention from whatever negativity in our lives and focus on the positive. It is the ultimate motivation.

How it works

To complete this challenge, we will be meditating on gratitude for ten minutes every day. To complete her daily practice, Melione sets an alarm for 10 minutes and uses the time to reflect on all of her blessings. We will do the same.

Using your smart phone, set an alarm in your clock app for ten minutes. Find a nice quiet place that's comfortable. Sit down on the floor with your back supported against a wall or a pillow.

I would also recommend downloading the Ambience app and using that to help set the mood. Ambience has a host of different soothing sounds from ocean waves to a fireplace. Choose something that helps you feel relaxed.

Start with a few deep breaths. Seven counts in, seven counts out. Then start listing all of the things you are grateful you have in your life, things you can do, things yo were able to overcome...etc.

That's it. Do this every day for 10 minutes. No more, no less. Melione was amendment that any longer and she felt like she may doze off and any time less she felt wasn't enough.

How To Enter

As always, make sure you’re following Phorbe on Instagram @PhorbeOfficial. On August 10th, I will post the above August Best You Challenge Graphic. Comment "I’m in" on the post and check in weekly for accountability and the chance to win free giveaways.

So, what do you say. Are you ready to jump into August’s Best You Challenge with me? Let me know in the comment section below.

It's a great day to conquer the world. So go forth, be grateful and slay!

-Queen Maree

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 31, 2018