Once upon a time, I had an excellent spiritual practice … and then I became a mom! Suddenly, my world spun out of control and I needed to find a way to restore harmony — for my sake and my baby's. I managed, and then two years later, became a mom for a second time. Again, my world spun out of control, except this time I was exponentially overwhelmed, and I knew I needed to get especially creative in order to stabilize. There was never a time in my entire life where I needed to center myself and connect with Spirit more than being home alone with a two-year-old and a newborn. The following are a few practices I discovered that helped to replenish my spiritual bank account during this amazing yet challenging experience. Friends have commented, "I don't know how you do it!" — this is how.

    Cleansing Visualization

    Showering is something we all must do (even as hard as it is with having a newborn!), so I use it as another opportunity to practice one of my favorite secret tricks because it takes up no extra time. It is simply all visualization.

    When I take a shower, I use it as an opportunity to cleanse my energy and thoughts as well. I imagine the water as a magical shimmering liquid that is penetrating my body and washing away all the dark negativity down the drain. Therefore, I end the shower feeling cleansed both inside and out.

    Inspiration in Commute

    While driving the kids to playdates, classes, or to the store, you can use this time to infuse your consciousness with positive thoughts that will stay with you throughout the day. When driving, try listening to relaxing music (as long as it doesn't make you sleepy, of course!), inspirational audio programs, or even church service recordings (my church provides CD recordings of their services for sale).

    I especially enjoy my church's recordings because in the beginning it was very difficult for me to get to church as often as I liked. However, I purchased the past recordings to listen to whenever I was driving (usually on the way to or home from church) and I still get the benefits from it, even if I wasn't there that day.

    However, I also really love listening to inspirational audio programs. Although it took several weeks, I was able to get through a large series, such as Paul Scheele's "Abundance for Life" program. On the other hand, it only took a couple of days for me to finish Louise Hay's "Embracing Change" CDs. Of course, I Afternoon Tea

    I got into the habit of having tea with my lunch, and it is a very nice treat. Having "tea time" makes me feel nice, like I'm pampering myself a little bit. It doesn't take any extra time out of my day either, since I still need to eat.

    I enjoy either "Tazo" or "Yogi" brands. Tazo has great flavors, but I especially enjoy Yogi because it has special inspirational messages on the tea bag tags such as "Strength does not lie in what you have. It lies in what you can give." It's refreshing to receive an inspiring notion like that in the middle of a hectic day with the kids!

    Drumming Circles

    I never would have considered bringing my children to a drumming circle if it had not been for a wonderful lady I met in my church congregation named Darlene Palese (www.awithheartinhandpetcare.com). She loves kids and insisted I bring mine. I am so glad I did! My son loved the drumming and he even got into the rhythm by running around the outside of the circle, which (fortunately!) the participants did not mind.

    Of course, this would not work with all groups, so be sure to check with the group leader before you attempt this. Unfortunately, there is a small "window" of time between the baby and toddler ages where this will work. In months after, when he was nearing four, he seemed to get bored of it and didn't want to do it anymore. Yet, my one-year-old still enjoyed it and would pick up some instruments to participate. Perhaps she'll continue to want to go. However, one time when my son saw us going without him, he changed his mind and wanted to go again as well. It's hit-or-miss, sometimes, with toddlers.

    I love the idea of getting the kids to experience the feeling of group drumming — the intensity of it, the sound of the different drums and other instruments harmonizing, and being able to participate. If anything, it's a foundation for them to accompany me in the future and to learn about other cultures that do this. I encourage them to play their instruments at home for their own enjoyment, so they can learn about music and hopefully foster their love of it. In addition, it's very therapeutic to get all your frustrations out in the drumming, if needed.

    Inspirational Reading

    I find inspirational reading a must to help train my brain to focus on positive, uplifting thoughts. However, I could not always find time to sit down and just read — that was a luxury. Therefore, I had to get creative on this front as well.

    Although feeding time is bonding time, after a while I discovered I could also use this time to read. I put a laptop on a table next to me and was able to read e-books and newsletters on it. When reading books and magazines, I could position myself to turn the page with the free hand.

    At night, at the very least, I made sure to simply read an inspirational passage before bed. The "Daily Guides" from my Science of Mind magazine worked well for this. It also helped me to have some kind of nightly routine that signaled it was bedtime, even if I was getting up in another couple of hours.

    If anything, you always have to go to the bathroom, so keep a self-help or inspirational book in the bathroom to read just a page or two while nature calls. I have read many books this way — sometimes it's the only time I get!

    Yoga for Mom

    I found it wonderfully helpful to sneak my yoga time in during "down time" moments. One example is when you are waiting for baby to fall asleep before going into your own bed. I would go all the way back to my bedroom, watch on the monitor, then if baby started crying, I'd wait the recommended five minutes, then go back. Eventually, I "graduated" to just waiting in the hallway. Realizing I actually had a few moments to do nothing but wait, I decided to be productive. So, instead of simply playing the back-and-forth game with baby, I used this time to do a simple yoga routine. (As stated in the previous "Meditation" chapter, I would meditate as well.)

    In as little as five minutes, you can perform the sun salutation, butterfly, child's pose, snake, and several others. I did all those and even made up some of my own stretches that felt good to me as well.

    Other times I find to sneak in yoga are when my toddler is doing "quiet time" activities, and when I am about to go to bed myself. I especially enjoy doing a simple routine at night before bed, because the stretching helps to alleviate and release the tensions from the day, as well as being an excellent precursor to meditation.

    Now that the weather is starting to warm up, give yourself the gift of some peaceful, quiet time to recharge your batteries, because you are important and you deserve it! Namaste, Mama!

    Next month: Six More Tips for Recharging Mom

    Ideas excerpted from Dawn M. Staszak's most recent book, A Guru in the Nursery: 50 Ways to Remember Your Spirit While Changing Diapers, published by Balboa Press, 2013, available via her website, www.guruinthenursery.com or www.balboapress.com. Her two previous books are A Guru In The Office, and A Fish Out Of Water, both published by RealityIs Books are available at www.guruintheoffice.com or at www.realityisbooks.com.

    Dawn has worked in commercial and non-profit, large and small companies, both as a permanent and temporary employee for over twenty years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Sales and Marketing) and two Associate degrees. She was most recently a Senior Administrative Assistant in a Fortune 500 company.

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