When I hear the word mindfulness, and think of the concept of mindfulness, it reminds me to SLOW down… to slow down my thoughts…to clear my mind…to slow down my breathing and to just take a moment … There…. “Ahhh”… a moment of peace. That moment of peace within myself allows me to focus on … nothing… or maybe just one thing… and I empty my mind of the clutter.
Some of the strategies I use to achieve mindfulness are progressive relaxation of muscles, focusing on breathing, and very slow exhales. Depending on where I am practicing my mindfulness like at work, in the living room or in my bedroom, I quiet the chatter in my mind and I let my body just melt into my chair, or the floor, or my bed. The tension melts away, peace and joy take its place, and I feel whole again – with my mind and body re-connected.
When my mindful practice is completed I can more easily focus on the task at hand, or the people around me … with clarity. If I’m not fighting against myself with inner struggles of things I wish I would have said, or wouldn’t have said, or things I wish I would have done differently, or “Man! I wish that person wouldn’t tick me off…” I can be in the present moment. If I’m not fighting within myself about any of those things I can find new energy to focus on something positive and to find a solution to the problem at hand. Or maybe I discover it’s not my problem after all and I don’t want to spend another minute stewing over it.
There are times when stressful situations pop up and I need some stress reduction… NOW! In those times, I can take a moment to use “emergency” mindfulness… to help me calm down before I give a speech, or after someone gets under my skin, or when I think about my never ending to-do list. I simply breathe in and out, slowly, deliberately. My favorite simple mindfulness tool is breathing out ever so slowly through a tiny opening in my lips… just let the air escape, as slowly and as completely as possible. This allows the next inhale to be slower and deeper and slows my breath rate down almost immediately. It’s like putting on the breaks.
When I practice mindfulness I am more “present” with others, my family, my co-workers, and myself. I am not so into my own problems that I can see when others have needs. I can notice my surroundings and find the beauty in my drive home from work every day. Even in the hectic drive to school and work in the morning, I can find something beautiful. Mindfulness helps me respond to life, instead of reacting. It allows some space where I can choose my response. It helps me find the peace in the midst of the storm. That’s why I so enjoy teaching Mindful Extension… it allows me the opportunity to help others find their peace and calm.
