My husband and my son on a walk when he was little
Does it make you wonder why people die from heart attacks, and depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses are so prevalent in our culture? So, what’s the solution?
Slow down and be in the moment. This is mindfulness. Learning to become mindful of the present moment. Stop multitasking every moment of your life. Do one thing at a time. Be present to that thing. Take deep cleansing breathes more often. Close your eyes and try to center yourself. When you are cooking smell the food, taste the food and appreciate cooking. When you are doing laundry snuggle the warm towels and smell the fabric sheets. When you are brushing your teeth smell the tooth paste and look in the mirror. When you are answering an email think of the person you are writing to, slow down and formulate a message. When you are at your kid’s sports game watch the game and think of your child. When we are mindful we realize we have more time than we thought possible because we make the most of each moment.
Today, start with something small. When you eat a meal today close your eyes and taste the food. Chew your food 25 times before you swallow it. Taste the texture of it, smell it. Be present and mindful while you eat. Tomorrow, be mindful when you walk somewhere of your surroundings. Don’t text or talk on the phone just walk and notice the weather, temperature and where you are. Becoming present to each moment brings mindfulness and an appreciation for life, not as we know it but as it should be known.
Very good thoughts, whoever thought that ” being in the moment ” could actually slow things down for you. They used to call this ” stopping and smelling the roses ” , same concept I think as ” mindful ness ” . Great idea, now we just all need to ” JUST DO IT “
TODAY YOU REMIND ME OF ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS! You would love it too, “The Precious Present” by Spencer Johnson MD. It speaks a profound truth that will allow you to be happy with yourself and your life forever…(Doubleday). It is 75 pages and takes about 15 minutes to read…”Once there was a boy…who listened to an old man. And, thus, began to learn about THE PRESCIOUS PRESENT. It is a present because it is a gift,” the contented man explained. And it is called THE PRECIOUS PRESENT, because it is the BEST gift of all. It is the best present a person can receive because anyone who receives such a gift is happy forever.” (pages 1-4)
I share it on retreat days – high school and adults…You can borrow my copy if you wish…