Meditation produces beneficial effects for the heart, brain, and metabolic system, according to research done at Harvard Medical School and elsewhere.  Anecdotal evidence also abounds about the positive effects of taking 10 or 15 minutes a day to slow the breathing and rest the body.

But meditation is only one of the ways to practice self-reflection.  You may prefer to do it in connection with your faith.  You may want to keep a journal.  Or you may prefer talking with someone on a regular basis - your significant other, a friend, or even another couple.  Sometimes it’s easier to be open and reflective with those who aren’t part of your immediate family.

My wife and I see our longtime good friends, Barry and Eileen, a few times a year, and we’ve developed a ritual as part of our get-togethers.  We generally have dinner, and then everyone takes a turn, talking about what has happened in the intervening time and whatever else is on the person’s mind.  It is self-reflection, practiced within a group.  This has been very helpful over the years as we go through life’s ups and downs.  It’s not all serious talk, either.  We laugh a lot as well.  Barry and Eileen have become part of our extended family.

Thanks for reading this excerpt from “Balanced Leadership in Unbalanced Times”.  If you would like to learn more about this book, please visit this site http://www.readthespirit.com/balanced_leadership/