Sleeping has never been one of my abilities. I’m that light sleeper who hears every sound and wakes up and then struggles, often unsuccessfully, to try and go back to sleep. I’m up early every day, and it I make it to 5 am on the weekend I feel as if I’ve slept in!

In truth, I don’t mind it. There are times I wish that I could sleep a bit more but I have accepted that this is my norm. During the work week, it gives me time for early morning exercise and that’s good. But it is the time on the weekend that I have come to really appreciate.

On those weekend mornings I have an hour, sometimes two, when everything is quiet and still. I sit in my peaceful kitchen, a cup of coffee in my hand and I have time to just think and reflect. In my own mind I think of it as my “coffee contemplation.” No electronics, at least for a bit, no noise, no distractions. Sometimes I journal but most of the time I give myself at least 15 minutes to just be.

Meditation is a word that puts some people off. They say “I can’t possibly do that,” and they talk about the way their mind races and they cannot clear it. I fully understand that. Sitting quietly, with the intention to meditate, is very difficult for me as well. I am constantly running over the “to do” lists or fretting over my worry du jour.

But meditation does not have to be that formal time set aside. It can be the moments that you find, like mine with my trusty cup of coffee, that can be meaningful, even powerful. Finding time to ground, to center, to calm, to process does not always have to be an effort. Take the moments that are already yours and use them, refilling and refilling your full heart.