meditating with the sunrise at the Rockhouse hotel in Negril, Jamaica.

This year, I’ve been to Mexico, Israel, Italy (twice), Cuba, Jamaica, the Southern US, Nevis, Singapore, the Dominican Republic, I can’t think of all the places but you get the idea. While I am living my dream, and I can’t think of a better time than the present to be doing this, the traveling is really exhausting. I don’t mind being in flight at all, but the process of planning for the trip, being “on” for new people, missing friends and family and then unpacking the trips to write about it is very tiring. I quickly realized the importance of some kind of continuity.

I was introduced to meditation in English class in high school; our teacher would start every class with a 10 minute meditation and end the meditation with a gong. I went in and out of the practice, often times participating in yoga classes in college, or the occasional YouTube meditation video. But in the spring of 2014, I can’t tell you why but I decided to make meditation a daily part of my life to regain some sanity. I was going full speed in fashion brand consulting and PR and found some aspects of the industry draining and my patience growing thin. Meditating put me in an instant state of calm and serenity that, eventually, I was able to carry into my daily life.

I do mean eventually. It is not easy at first, the idea of emptying or slowing your mind. When I’ve stopped for a week, it still takes me a few days to get back in the practice of not tallying a to-do list in my mind. But simply the act of taking the 10, 15, 20 minutes a day to just stop, is a luxury that most of us do not do enough. I love my iPhone, but man did I love being completely off of the grid in Havana. Funnily enough, it is my smartphone that’s enabled me to make meditation a part of my everyday life using the Headspace meditation map with guided meditations. I love being able to track my progress and guided meditations are perfect for

some of my healing crystals. amethyst, rose quartz, pyrite

beginners in need to pointers on focus and how to achieve the practice. Traveling wears you down. I luckily don’t really get jet-lagged, as my body is never really sure what time zone it’s in. Taking 15 minutes a day, whatever location I’m in helps me maintain consistency in a schedule that is ever changing. It also helps me take in and process my new surroundings. A lot of airlines are creating programs around this need: on my recent trip to Nevis, there was a meditation channel on Delta!

When I get to my hotel or where I’m staying, usually I’ll find a spot with a view, perch, take out my growing trove of healing crystals and meditate before meeting up with the group. If the view permits, my favorite time to do this the morning after my first night is with the sunrise.

I’m excited to have the opportunity for three of my readers to join me in my meditation! I’m giving away a month’s free access to Headspace to three ‘N A Perfect World fans. All you have to do is follow @nneya and @n_aperfectworld Instagram accounts, and share and tag your ideal spot to meditate with #naperfectworld. On December 21st, I’ll be announcing the winners (I pushed the contest longer so my Periscope viewers from the Global Meditation Scope I’m leading on December 12th @Nneya on Periscope!). Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!