Hello dear Reader
Thanks for stopping by to read another inspiration from the SoulFood Garden
If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone (including myself), make excuses for why they can’t take some time for themselves, I’d be writing this from some idyllic island I owned!
“I don’t have time…”
“I have a deadline and can’t stop …”
“I can’t switch off…”
“I can’t lose my train of thought …”
“I have to push through …”
I’m sure you can think of some good ones yourself!
Therein is the problem – this can become habitual, which means you never switch off, you’re involved in habitual thinking about problems, going around in circles, or so determined to stay focused on what you’re doing that you begin to lose the ability to make sense of it – a bit like “unlearning” when you don’t take a break.
The drawbacks of this type of existence is that once it becomes your norm, you will increasingly feel like you have to do more, and in no time you’ll find yourself overloaded and not functioning at your best no matter how hard you try. Just as physical fatigue is a thing, so mental fatigue is as well, and you may well be training your body to be in a chronically stressed state which could lead to all sorts of unwanted side-effects.
But what can we do about it? It’s quite simple really It’s a simple thing that can be done anywhere at any time, called mindfulness – a broad category of simple conscious actions that momentarily shift the mind’s absolute focus, stimulates the senses, and hones focus attention into a very narrow band of perception. So simple but it works to refresh, energise and enables one to see things from a totally new perspective!
I can hear tuts of skepticism, but think back to a time when you were absolutely embroiled in, excited about and focused on an activity (yes even work projects!), where everything else disappeared into the background and time stood still – and you felt as if you were, as it were, consumed by what you were doing.
Mindfulness is a mini version of this, a conscious intervention to momentarily get lost in, and focus upon an entirely different experience.
It’s incredibly simple and probably why so many people poo-poo it, and therefore don’t even consider it as an option, but I challenge you to try it.
In as little as a minute, the shift will be astounding, and with practice, your intuition and insight will be uncovered, and will grow, benefiting every part of your life.
Here are a few examples of Mindful Minutes that you can implement in your day, while your day is happening, no extra time involved, no cost, no additional physical input – just an intentional shift in focus, and a desire to grow. Your senses and other parts of yourself anaesthetized by the hum-drum of everyday life, will begin to awaken, creating another dimension in your life.
- While having a coffee – notice the feel of the cup in your hands – smooth or rippled – is it hot – smooth your fingers over the container – circles – does it make a sound? Now sip and focus completely as the liquid enters your mouth, the temperature, the texture, the smell, the aftertaste. Feel gratitude – no extra time taken, no cost, but a moment to relax and shift.
- When you’re walking – listen to the rhythm of your steps, 1,2 1,2 or Left Right, Left Right. Notice your arm movements, let your gaze fall on your destination, and allow the rhythm of your body in motion to take you there, arriving refreshed, clear headed and grateful for the experience.
There are so many more opportunities to have a “Mindful Minute” – make up your own – you are the architect of your experience.
If you’d like to receive my latest posts, please pop your email into the box at the top of the page, and you’ll be added to the list.
More to come!
Thanks for reading and see you next time!