I recently came across a wonderful documentary that encouraged viewers to look at the benefits of mindfulness. For copyright purposes I won't post it here, but please reach out if you are interested and I would be happy to pass on the information! I speak regularly with my clients about mindfulness and accepting all of the things as they come, acknowledging them, and allowing what will be, to be. It is all wonderful in theory however, putting it into practice takes exactly that, practice.
As humans, we are prone to moving in routines and reactions. We are accustomed to instant gratification, having things just so, and we often find ourselves frustrated at traffic that may not be moving fast enough, at others that don't value our time or emotions, long lines, inconveniences in general. We are consistently looking forward to the next task, or accomplishment. "I can relax when xyz happens." We worry about finances and the future and spend a lot of time thinking about the past, so much so that we sometimes forget to exist in the current time. Our souls become unsettled, and we can never quite find that happy medium. So how can we be more content in the midst of chaos and more present in the present?
One of my favorite movies as a young person and guilty pleasure even today, is Wayne's World. Yes, the horrible movie based on an SNL skit, please feel free to judge me, I don't mind lol! There is a scene where they are in the car at a stop light and Wayne is ogling a fancy guitar in a shop window. Garth admonishes him, telling Wayne to "LIVE IN THE NOW!!!".
Garth was wise. The concept of being mindful, in very simplistic terms, is really just living in the now. Experiencing every moment for what it is, when it is, and how it is. Do different individuals experience mindfulness differently? Absolutely! There are so many different methodologies and schools of thought on how to be mindful and they all have truth and validity. I encourage each of you to find what works specifically for you. In my personal experiences, it is about accepting the life that is. It is ok to have goals and dreams that you want to achieve. The magic is not basing your existence on those things. I am currently attending college to obtain a degree that I have wanted since high school. There was point this past semester where I found that I was just pushing through and putting things on hold until I could get that degree done as fast as possible. I was overextended, over tired, cranky and unfulfilled. My businesses were suffering, my soul was suffering and I was not having a good time. After making the decision to cut my course load back, and experience more of my life, I am calmer, more relaxed and more inclined to put the effort in that my studies deserve. Most importantly, I could feel my soul relaxing and finding it's quiet again. Applying those same principles into everyday experiences can bring a peace to our soul like no other.
Long line at the grocery store? If you find yourself internally huffing and puffing or mentally going down the list of things you still need to do, take a mental pause. At some point, you are going get through the line and be done with this experience. Notice the three year old giggling in the next aisle. Notice the elderly gentleman with the bouquet of flowers. Now notice, how much more content you feel when you notice instead of react. When we are able to just experience, instead of reacting, it slowly begins to alter our mindset and eventually becomes a natural response.
So today, my challenge to you is to take every single moment as it comes. Acknowledge it, accept it. Sit with it. Emotions will happen. See them, hold space for
them, and then continue. Spilled a cup of coffee on your shirt before a big interview? That's intense! Take some deep breaths, laugh out loud because why not, and step into that interview with confidence.
"Nice to meet you future boss. You'll notice I had a mishap on the way in to meet you today. I hope you will see that a small hiccup didn't hinder me from completing my obligation to be here and the coffee stain on my shirt shows that I can acknowledge my mistakes and learn from them and move on."
You deserve to experience your life now, not later. Take some breaths. Close your eyes. Just. Be.
Drink some water. Go for a walk. Stretch something!
Come back this Wednesday where we will be talking about Mental Health Awareness month and some great ways to boost your mental wellness!
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