Mindfulness is a practice that has changed my life.

“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally,” – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Sometimes I find myself thinking about things that happened in the past, replaying them over and over in my mind. I can also spend quite a bit of time planning and obsessing over what will happen in the future. Sometimes these thoughts are good, other times they are very bad.

I first learned of mindfulness (and the idea of being more fully present) from Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations. In the Mindfulness 101 episode, Oprah and Jon Kabat-Zinn gave the following example:

• When you are in the shower, actually be “in the shower”. Not in your 9:00 am meeting.

For me, this was mind blowing! It made me realize that I was hardly ever “in the shower”. They also mentioned that mindfulness was a practice that did not require any extra time. I WAS SOLD 🙋🏽, and decided to give it a try!

The first time I practiced mindfulness, my worry and anxiety melted away and I suddenly felt really happy. It was so weird (in a good way), I couldn’t believe how fast this simple practice changed my mood! Needless to say, I’ve been a believer ever since 🙂

During moments of mindfulness, especially when my thoughts are toxic, I try to practice gratitude. It can be as simple as, being grateful for good weather, quiet time, food to eat, a safe place to sleep, a job, family and/or friends.

While planning for the future and remembering great experiences from the past are important, whenever I obsess over the future or past, it prevents me from enjoying the present moment.

Practicing mindfulness is one of the things that has helped me enjoy even the smallest moments in 2018. This year, I am hoping to get much better at it.

Have you found yourself obsessing over what happened in the past or what you fear may (or may not) happen in the future?

CHALLENGE

When you find your thoughts drifting away from the present moment, causing you to feel negative emotions, try practicing mindfulness. Choose to be aware of the present moment. You can even take it a bit further by finding something to be grateful for in the present.

During this new year, it may be tempting to get caught up in planning and preparing for what will come next, or pondering what did or did not happen in 2018. Join me in aiming to be more mindful and grateful this year, so we can fully enjoy wherever we find ourselves in the present.

Let’s try eating slowly. Listening intently. Smelling the roses, or whichever flowers you’d prefer 😉 Enjoying the outdoors. And conversations with loved ones in 2019.

LAGNIAPPE /a little something extra/

Think of three things you can be grateful for, right where you are now.

Thanks so much for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments and/or suggestions below. I love hearing from you 😉

Xx,

Raina B ❤