Starting a mindfulness practice is one of the best things you can do for your life

This is less about learning and more about not thinking. 

You can see the previous where I talk about why I don’t care for new Year’s resolutions here. 

So when it comes to creating a “new” practice around the new year, I do appreciate that there are many people who want to start over fresh and get new practices and old ways of thinking pushed behind them. 

So, if you’re not aware, Mindfulness is…

Present Moment. Being in the now. Awareness without judgment. 

They’re all the same. So, if you want to become more mindful, I have one simple way to start your mindfulness practice. You’ll feel so much better if you do.  

How do you start a mindfulness practice that you can do easily?

I am going to give you one suggestion, but first I want to tell you how I view Mindfulness. 

Mindfulness Journey

I like to think of mindfulness practice as going for a walk down a beautiful street carrying a backpack. 

This backpack holds all of your past thoughts, worries, future ideas, wants, and needs that you carry in your head every day. It’s heavy and uncomfortable.

But you “believe” you need to take it with you. 

As you walk down the street you start to pay attention to the world around you. 

You notice the small things. A squirrel, a bird chirping, the wind in your hair. The steps you take. 

You start to get a sensory experience that pulls you into the present. Remember; Mindfulness. Present Moment. Being in the now. They’re all the same.

You realize after about 10 minutes that you don’t notice the backpack. It feels lighter and lighter the more you stay on your walk. 

Why?

Because for a few moments, you have allowed your mind to rest. To get a reprieve from everything you think about.  Even the little things that we think are nothing are something our brain has to process. You have let go for a few moments.

Your mind will be grateful, believe me.  

Now the more you stay mindful, you will begin to realize that you are not noticing the backpack as much and you’re not putting as much in it.  

 At that point, you’re free to walk without the burden of carrying that heavy mind.

On the flip side, You can always pick the backpack back up again, but that will be your choice. 

 

Make a commitment to becoming more mindful

We need to remember our intentions. 

Pick ‘one’ area in your life that you want to become more mindful or deepen your mindfulness.

But before you begin, you need to know where or what this area is. 

Start with your reasons ‘why’ you want to be mindful

 Are you becoming mindful to decrease overthinking? Be happier? Become more present? Are you looking to be more engaged with life and the people around you?

For example, do you find you get annoyed driving? Maybe going to the grocery store and standing in line gets your goat.

If you are interested in being mindful when you’re overthinking, then pick a time to be more mindful right before you start to overthink.

To keep myself from waking up ‘overthinking’ I’ll take a few moments before I get out of bed to just concentrate on my breath.

Sometimes for an added bonus, I’ll feel the rise and fall of my cat’s chest as they tend to lay on top of me. Does it make it hard to get out of bed? Yes, sometimes, but I get out of bed with a clear mind. 

Just start with ONE simple daily practice in ONE area of your life using the OMOM (One Minute of Mindfulness)  technique.

Consistency is more important than time. 

I want to ask a favor. What is the one practice you are going to start? Share with me, I would love to hear it. 

Take a deep breath in and exhale

So, before I go, listen closely and remember this ONE thing. 

Your future is a thought, your past has passed, but your now is always here. 

Be mindful-one minute at a time.

 

Hugs, Cheryl 

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Three easy ways to start a mindfulness practice

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