The space we find ourselves in ends up affecting our mood, our actions. I cannot write out the monthly bills on anything but an organized table. Some people cannot write creatively on anything but yellow legal paper. Others cannot relax until the dishes are done. Some cannot sleep without "their" pillow. We all have ingredients that have to be in place for us to do certain things.

The same is true for prayer/meditation. Having the right time and place established can really help us build this beneficial and calm time into our hectic schedules.

It is easier to pray or meditate if we can be deliberate about it. I am not proposing any "must dos". I believe prayer and meditation are too individual for the silliness of a rule book. But I am recommending regular meditation/prayer as a spiritual practice. There are many benefits from a time when we can regularly check in with yourselves, with G-d, with the Universe, with the Earth.

BlogHer is a big tent. Some of us here pray, others meditate. For some of us, this time takes on a specifically religious tone. For others, the emphasis is spiritual in a more general way. For others, it can be a health practice. But in all cases there are benefits. I would be foolish to try to tell someone how to pray, or meditate. But I can speak here of how important it is to create circumstances that welcome prayer and meditation in a predictable and regular way.

If you believe that benefits are there for you, not meditating every day, or not praying every day is like expecting to get the full benefits from a vitamin that you only take every few weeks when you remember it.

In addition to creating a regular time for prayer/mediation, it is easier to start this practice and keep it flowing if you have a designated place where it happens.

We are all busy women. The world tugs at our sleeves; and, there is always something to do. There are lots of reasons to forget doing something that benefits our lives. Meditation/prayer is as important as a fitness routine. Think of it as your soul going to the gym -- and you get to make the best gym possible.

Take this time of grounding and refreshment seriously enough that you could mark it in on your daybook -- an appointment with peacefulness. Day or evening does not matter. You know when you can best carve out a few minutes of time.

Once you have committed to the time, now think through the place. I know one woman who would get in her car in the garage, and would take ten minutes for prayer. It was one time and place she could predict 5 days a week. You may have a favorite chair, or a favorite corner of a room. You might want to set up something deliberate -- maybe it is just a chair and table set away from the hurry and scurry of daily life.

Some people choose to create very visible places, either indoor or outdoors.

Wildmind, a site about Buddhist meditation has this to say about creating definite space:

Although I’ve suggested that you can meditate anywhere, like the office, it can be good to have a particular place to meditate regularly, and to make that place a little special, meaningful, and beautiful. You can do this by having some pictures that remind you of why you want to meditate — whether religious imagery or natural imagery. You can have candles and incense. I find that the ritual of “lighting up” is quite soothing and grounding, especially if I do it with mindfulness, and in a spirit of reverence.

Melissa has decided to make ahome altar in her dining room (in a toddler-free-zone).

Cyndi has chosen to use space on her 28 acres of land to create an outdoor shrine to honor Nature.

Gardenlady talks about how to create a garden for meditation.

Barbara starts every morning by meditating while sitting on her sofa.

It is important to carve out contemplative space. The bombardment on our senses is not about to decrease. The world makes demands. We feel obligated to be "on" 24/7. In truth we recharge our cell phone batteries more regularly than we recharge our spiritual "batteries". It is so important to take regular time for yourself to connect with something greater, larger, more than yourself. It refreshes. It heals. It models self-care and spiritual care to our children. And, it helps us all make the world a better place.

Please share with us ways you may have found or are thinking about to establish regular spiritual "catch up" times in your life.

Mata H , CE for Religion and Spirituality blogs her soul out on Time's Fool