“Mindfulness?” Blog #125
Is my mind full of goodness or angry thoughts today?
What am I constantly focusing my thinking on now?
How do I bring peace into my life at this moment?
The other day I decided to pay attention to the people that live in my house with me. My
husband, my son and my daughter. What is foremost on each of their minds at that
moment? My husband was busy at his computer checking his emails, working on his mail
and paying the bills. He is very budget conscience man. My son, on the other hand was
upset with the fact that his scooter broke down and decided to focus his efforts on
cleaning up his mountain bike and relying on that for the summer. Our daughter was
busy making plans for her freshman year at college with all of its hopes and dreams. I on
the other hand, was doing none of the above. I had done my morning chores. I was
finished with my daily exercise and I was finding a way to let the “challenges of my day”
not get the best of me.
What are my copying skills now?
Why do I make this statement? Without realizing it, I suddenly became aware of the fact
that we are all living in the same house - separately. We are doing our own thing “so to
speak” but living together. What brings peace and harmony to each of us? First of all, we
each must feel safe and secure and satisfied with our home life. Most important we must
have respect for those around us, near us and those we encounter. The only way to have
the utmost respect for another person is to have the highest respect for one’s self.
Throughout the years in my real estate practice I was always aware of families that I
found homes for and who was the primary person making the decisions. It often varied,
sometimes the wife, sometimes the husband. Most of all, I could tell the way a person felt
about themself, almost instantly. A person shows their true colors by the way they present
themself from the onset. Are they dressed nicely and presentable? Not too flamboyant,
not too faddish and above all not slovenly? Nails clean, hair neatly groomed and shoes in
good shape? I realized early on, if I was a person that “simply did not care”, there was a
good chance that others would not care how they treated me either. Every day I show up
for myself and bring the best I can be out for others to see. Even at home, I try to look my
best.
I was at a luncheon the other day. Seated at a table of nine other women that all came
from a variety of professions. I studied the people at my table. I was immediately taken
by the woman across from me. She seemed so different from the other women at the
table who were non-stop talking and did not seem to be hearing anything anyone else
said. This woman was very in touch with herself. She was dressed very conservatively but
extremely classic. Her hair was short and perfectly groomed. She was thin and in perfect
shape. Her jewelry was modest, only a beautiful large pair of pearl earrings. She never
stopped smiling and as the luncheon went on, everyone at the table shared their secrets
of staying healthy. This woman across from me, was Asian descent, she volunteered her
age to be 92! I was absolutely astounded because she looked 65. All the other women
stopped talking and focused their attention on her. “How in the world did she do this”, we
all asked her. She never stopped smiling, just continued to share. Her secret she told all of
us at the table was “mindfulness”. Every morning she made sure that after her routine of
workout, walking and relaxation, came the mindfulness that was so critical to her feeling a
sense of peace throughout her day.
When I left the luncheon, I immediately looked up the word in the dictionary:
Mindfulness - “A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present
moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and
bodily sensations as a therapeutic technique.”
So what in the world am I talking about anyway? Let’s say someone hurts my feelings by
something they said, I am immediately angry and I want to lash out. Let’s say someone
judges me unfairly and I want to right this wrong by retaliation. Better still, let’s say my
whole day goes wrong because I cannot stop thinking and focusing and fighting my
feelings of anger, dread and judgement. Well, mindfulness appears to help! Feel those
feelings then leave them alone! Move out of the lower self rut with the deep breathing
techniques.
Mindfulness brings in simple breathing techniques. I couple them with this. After the deep
breathing, I bring in the “Light Prayer” and the “Lords Prayer” to balance all my energies
that have gotten out of wack. As I breathe in, I pray to let go. I then focus only on the
“Given Moment at Hand” - my most distressing thought and angry feelings now move out
of my mind. I have brought myself back to the present by being “Present in this exact
moment”. It’s very important that I continue to remind myself about this.
All these “Things” that have happened to me are my “Lessons once again”. I must try to
remind myself of this and remember Jesus is my best friend. He is here and He is holding
my hand through everything that I may encounter. I am not afraid of today.
Over and over again - I focus on Mindfulness - being present in the given moment only.
Can I stop, look AND listen with Mindfulness now?
NOW LISTEN TO SONG FOR TODAY - CLICK PLAY BUTTON IN VIDEO BELOW