Random thoughts swirl around in my brain. The writer in me intends to organize these thoughts into meaningful pieces about life, relationships and the world we live in. But, while meditating this morning it came to me that maybe I just have a busy brain.

Meditating is new to me. I’ve attempted meditation a few times in the past, and participated in some guided meditations lead by a facilitator. My own efforts at self-guided meditation usually become a random thought circus. One thought sneaks in, flickers, and sparks more thoughts.

A few years ago I decided to try yoga. I love it! Yoga helps me stay strong, flexible, and focused. Through yoga I’ve learned to calm down my brain and put disruptive thoughts on hold. I’m more aware of my breathing, and how to use it to benefit the movements of my body. I’ve learned to slow my brain down enough so that my yoga practice has an aspect of meditation, too.

I’m easily bored and am compulsively busy. I can suddenly attack a closet or stack of papers or my basement and get lost in it. This is usually at the expense of what I set out to do, which is to write. Many drafts of poems, essays and songs need attention. While I’m busy doing these physical tasks my brain is spinning, formulating thoughts and sentences for later when (if) I sit down to write…and then it’s too late. Can’t remember any of it.

I’m reading a book, “Meditation For Fidgety Skeptics,” by Dan Harris. Harris details his own efforts to calm his busy brain and body by meditating. He advises to start with one minute of sitting still with a clear mind. He acknowledges that some people use a mantra to meditate, but thinks even that can be distracting. Find a comfortable place to sit still, slow your breathing, clear your brain. If your mind wanders, simply start over. Harris says that meditation makes anyone who does it regularly at least “10% Happier,” and he created an app to promote this idea. Establishing a meditation practice, even for just a few minutes a day, can set a tone of intention for the day and help focus the mind.

This appeals to me. For a few weeks now, after breakfast, I sit in the solarium of my house, cross-legged on a wicker love seat, a pillow behind my back. I rest my wrists on my knees, usually with hands facing up, close my eyes and start with a simple mantra like “Clear mind, open heart” that eventually drops off to nothing. My mind wanders but I let myself start over again until I notice that my breathing is rhythmic and slow. When ready, I open my eyes and welcome my day.

These days, I’ve found another way to calm myself through flower gardening. Now that it’s Spring in the Midwest, the weather encourages perennials to follow their instinctive course. I love to fill pots with brightly colored annuals. My garden is anchored by an Eastern Redbud tree surrounded by hostas, Solomon Seal, Impatiens and Lily of the Valley.  As I weed and nurture the plants, my brain cranks away but my heart feels zen.

I’m getting better at calming the rapid barrage of thoughts that burdens me except today, when this strain of busy thinking sneaked into my consciousness. Stream of consciousness writing, maybe that’s my angle…where am I going with this? What? Hey, is that a dust bunny in the corner?