For The New Year...

I should learn to f'ing relax. For reals. Some meditation advice from Motherearth.com:

How to Meditate

To elicit the relaxation response via meditation:

• Find a quiet place with a comfortable chair.
• Sit with eyes closed.
• Select a word or phrase — one, peace, ice cream — whatever. That’s your “mantra.”
• Silently repeat your mantra. Begin with a minute or two. Work up to 20 minutes once or twice a day.
• While meditating, try to empty your mind of other thoughts. Assume a passive, accepting, nonjudgmental attitude. When distracting thoughts intrude — they’re inevitable — notice them, accept them, then dismiss them as you refocus on your mantra.

In another type of meditation, breath meditation, there is no mantra. Practitioners focus on their breath. The other steps remain the same.