One Thousand Days of Calm

5 MIN READ

​I have so far invested over three years to my practice and it has been the best investment of my life.

I've met the most extraordinary professionals who have practiced 5+ years, 10+ years, and 20+ years, all very much human, all very much benefiting in their own ways from their own unique practices.

I didn't just try mindfulness meditation, or any kind of meditation. My best friend Lara recommended the mobile app Calm to me during a stressful time of my life, and for me it's made all the difference. I know friends and colleagues who've tried all kinds of different meditation apps, websites, YouTube channels, etc. This article will highlight the resources I or my trusted allies have used and vetted, so that you can choose for yourself what is right for you.  Whenever possible I like to try all the different options, because from day to day I never know what will speak to me, so I keep my mind and heart open. 
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There are options for you that are free or require monthly or annual subscriptions. I am not being paid to push any of these products, I just get a lot of questions about what I use or what I know is useful, so this is where I document my findings. I hope you find something here that speaks to you, but if not, it doesn't hurt to give something new a try! 

​1,000 days of mindfulness meditation

​Yesterday (Sunday, August 30, 2020), I hit 1,000 days of daily meditation practice, using the mobile app Calm!

This is just one of what I hope to be many huge milestones for me as I pursue personal well-being, clarity, fulfillment, and most importantly, appreciation for my life as it is, in this moment.

I've had the Calm app since December 14, 2016. At this point in the game, I have to admit I am a champion of Calm. Whether or not I'm a formal affiliate (in the works), I am definitely an admirer and evangelist. Not just because it's a great app whether you use the free version or the subscription version, but because they also facilitate a fantastic Facebook community and YouTube channel, all for free-zies! They help millions! 

In this review, I'll explain what I used, why I used it, and how I think it helped me in real life. 
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So what has it done for me?

Mindfulness meditation is now the undercurrent to every waking, conscious moment. It manifests itself in the following ways and this isn't a comprehensive list:
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• I am more present with people, and perhaps more importantly, with myself when I'm alone.
• When I am present to myself and what's happening in my mind, I am able to observe it and realize that my thinking is not reality - it's just thought.
• If I realize my thoughts are unhelpful, such as the all-too-familiar bouts of negative self-talk, I can pause, recognize that it's negative self-talk, offer myself silent words of affirmation, and direct love to self in the same way I would direct it to a friend if she was beating herself up for something.
• I recognize my self-worth and accept myself, and not despite my flaws and imperfections, but because of my flaws and imperfections. They are what make me, me. They are what differentiate me from you. They are what give me room to grow and explore my perception of imperfection, and at the end of that journey, find acceptance and appreciation for that which makes me, me.
• I recognize the worth and capabilities of others. I see them more as who they are, rather than what I might wish them to be. 
• I can let go of attachment to outcome. Rather than doing something with an expectation it will look like XYZ at the end, I put 100% into the doing, allowing the result to be what it is. I tap into gratitude for what it is, not what I thought it was supposed to be.
• I see the world clearer. I practice beginner's mind daily and find awe in the beauty of the garden my partner tends to, the singing and fluttering of the hummingbirds, the gorgeous blueness of our California skies.
• I see the day for what it is - an opportunity to live the best life I can right now. And I embrace that opportunity with gratitude and joy.
• Even in this very tumultuous time, when I understandably must fight bouts of depression, doubt, anger, disappointment, and frustration, I can tap into my practice. I know that these feelings are like warm lava in my belly, short-fast breathing, tension in my head. I can recognize these sensations in my body, pause, take deep breaths (in for 4-pause for 4-out for 8), and make myself feel better. This doesn't mean the issues and problems of the world are solved. But it does mean I'm in a calmer, more peaceful place to respond to the world around me. 

​Whether you are just starting out with meditation or have been doing it for awhile, continue your practice! It can only bring greater peace to your life, no matter how much time you can dedicate to it.

You are making an investment in YOU. No one else can do that for you.

Calm is the leading app for meditation and sleep.

With 7- and 21- day programs, daily meditations for children and adults, music, and sleep stories, use the app to find 5 minutes or more of quiet solitude and peaceful introspection. 

Cost? Sign up for free for limited features. To unlock all features, the membership plan is $69.99/yr. You can even gift the Gift of Calm to someone who can benefit from it! Ready to stick to it for life? Get the Lifetime membership for $399.99.

Learn how it's made a difference in my own life below. At the end of this article, find tips for other apps you can look into!
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Track Progress + Guest Passes

What it's got:
Whether you are using the app daily or whenever you can, it's nice to see your progress. What it has today that it didn't have in December, is the cool new Guest Pass feature! Right from the app, you can share a 30-Day Guest Pass to Calm with unlimited access to all of Calm's content.

How I use it:
I don't really use Share your Stats, but I am inspired by having a long-standing streak. I've shared the Guest Pass now with three friends, and I'm excited to hear what they say! They'll get access not just to the Daily calm, but also to Sleep Stories, music, the Calm Masterclass, Calm Kids, and Calm Body! I've also been sharing the app by hosting live group meets where I play the app and facilitate our group through the experience. Beginners love it!

Beautiful, visual memes

What it's got:
I appreciate the Daily Calm because it is refreshing to get a different message to meditate on once you become a regular user.  You can also use the memes, music, and soundscapes as additional pick-me-ups throughout your day.

How I use it:
In the beginning, I didn't use the Daily Calm much because I focused instead on just learning how to practice with different series like 21 Days of Calm, 7 Days of Sleep, 7 Days of Calming Anxiety, and 7 Days of Self-Esteem. Now that I've used the app daily, I've been through all of the regular content, and some of the daily content is sounding familiar (starting to repeat). So I've started to spend 10-30 minutes a day on silent meditation (less guidance so just you and yourself) using the Timed Meditation, Calm Light, or Open-Ended Meditation.

Music and Meditations

​Music for all times of the day​
Music isn't for everyone, but it is 100% for me. I've been singing, dancing, and listening to music since the womb. I love using Calm's instrumental music as background noise while I work, shower, meditate, stretch, and more. Check out this 30-minute Relax piece on YouTube.

​Meditations for what ails ya' 
​What I appreciate most about Calm is the thoughtfulness and intentionality in the narrator, Tamara, and her messages.The writing really speaks to you and is relatable, no matter what you're going through in life. For just a taste, check out this Mindfulness Meditation on Santosha (11:16) on YouTube. 

Are there other apps out there to consider?
Of course there are! 

​One of them is InsightTimer. This I use when I'm not using Calm.

.InsightTimer has 60,000 FREE guided meditations and music tracks. Unlike Calm where you purchase a subscription, InsightTimer has a "donation" model where you can donate to individual meditation teachers.

InsightTimer sponsors live events with renowned teachers like Jack Kornfield. Listen to guided meditations as short as 5 minutes and as long as an hour from familiar voices like the Dalai Lama, Elizabeth Gilbert and Tara Brach.

Are you a gifted meditation teacher?
InsightTimer is looking for you! "Make a difference. Add an income." Become a teacher!

Enjoy Affirmations from Calm