I am having a really hard time setting aside time for prayer/meditation to Deity. My life has become one giant day planner with just about every block filled with an obligation to my family, work, or community. I am so exhausted during the little down time I have that even meditation feels like work!
What do you do to schedule time for prayer/meditation so that it's doesn't feel like an appointment? Or should I treat it like an appointment until it becomes a habit?
Maybe I need to set a New Year's resolution now at Samhain rather than waiting for Jan. 1!
One thing I do which only takes a few minutes may be of some help to you. Each morning I stand in front of my alter and this is what I do: I place my palms together (prayer position) in front of my chest, I extend one arm up and the other down, I ask the universe to extend my "antenna" out through the relms of the universe connecting with my diety, guides, angels, those around me in spirit ( whoever you wish to include). I ask that my feet be firmly planted in the earth keeping me grounded (hence the arm going down and picture the roots of a big tree). I ask for my orb of protection for the day and whatever else I may request. For me it's usually protection for my loved ones, connection to my healing guides, but you can ask for what suits you. Then I make a pentegram accross my body and give thanks. Often placing a small item of thanks on my alter. You can really do this anywhere, any time. In front of a mirror is good. As I say it takes only a few minutes, but is very effective for me.
Maybe give it a try and see how it "fits" with you, alter it to suit give it your special magick
At first, like any new good habit I want to develop, it was like an "appointment." ;) I know stand in front of my altar every day, as Willowhisp does. I have a little different ritual than she does, but it is something I do to "worship" and pray. Usually I do it before I leave the house. I call the Guardians of the Four Directions and my Totems for each Direction, and the Lady & Lord. I just stand with my hands & arms forward toward my altar, palms up. I thank Them all for their protections and blessings. I ask for special protections and provisions that I need. Then I bow, and I am done. Just that little bit of spiritual "space" in my life keeps me "conscious" throughout the day. So that whenever I can, I sense the presence of the Lady & Lord. They are there with me. :) Sometimes I will pull out my Animal Totem cards for a reading, if I am puzzling about something and wish to see any indications in that moment of time. But I don't do any regular reading or journaling per se. I just try to live with consciousness and awareness.
It takes time, and just taking a moment, standing wherever you are when the thought strikes, perhaps? When I was busy working full-time, and we were raising our DD when she was young, life was hectic and not many moments did I have alone to myself, either. :o( What I would do is get up an hour or a half hour before DD & DH, and sit quietly with the Lady & Lord and just breathe, and work into a more formal sitting meditation time. If that time of day didn't work, when I had my lunch break at work (it was usually an hour), I would leave the office, and sit in my car or if there was a nearby public garden area or park, I'd go there and find a quiet space. I would sit and breathe with the Lady & Lord. Meditate a bit. Then, when it was time, I'd go back to work.
Often there is a 5-10 minute period sometime during the day that we can snatch for ourselves, but sometimes it takes a while to actually see this bit of time and then use it. ;) Since Samhain is the spiritual New Year, this is a perfect time to make a commitment to find that 5-10 minutes each day to worship the Lady and Lord. ;) I hope this helps a bit. :P
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across the grass
and loses itself in the sunset.
- Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator
Mika Dog
"All things share the same breath;
the beast, the tree, the man.
The Air shares its spirit with
all the life it supports."
--Chief Seattle
"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went."
~Will Rogers
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
~~Mahatma Gandhi
(((Hugs))) I hope things get less hectic for you. I know how draining that can be.I have been in your exact situation.
I decided to move my prayer/meditation time to right before I go to bed. That is the quietest time of my day and usually the kids have already been in bed for hours. Of course, my DH works third shift, so that helps too. By 10:30 to 11 o'clock, it's just me and the cats still up.
I normally tidy up, take a shower, and make myself a cup of tea, warm milk/honey or warm apple cider then go off to my bedroom where I have an altar. I'll light a candle, visualize my sacred space and then meditate/pray for as long as I feel the need. Sometimes that will be only 15-20 minutes, sometimes it will be for longer.
It always helps relax and center me. I sleep better, too. I don't know if before bed would be a convenient time for you, but you might want to give it a shot just to get a feel for it.
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will take a look at my schedule and see what time would be best for just a few minutes of sacred time. I think the morning would be best, either before everyone else is up or after DH and the kids have gone to school. I'm the last one to leave each day (teach college classes at 2pm - usually grading before then), so I do have times when the house is empty.
Love 
