Living Mindfully

     OOPS! There I go again, tumbling down those basement steps. As I lay at the bottom of the stairs, looking towards the top, I pondered the repetition of my mindless acts which often led to such results. I quickly recognized a mindless act to be the villain and my downfall.  

   I fell because I wasn't focused on not falling. Neither my thought nor actions were intentional. Rather than being mindful of what I was doing and what my desired outcome was, I let my thoughts race toward, my fear of being late for work and man's best friend who had yet to be fed and walked. I thought about everything except my feet safely touching each step until I arrived at my desired destination. When I walk down a flight of stairs, I should only be thinking about walking down that flight of stairs and nothing more. It is a simple rule with a guaranteed successful outcome that I had failed to adhere to.

    The term “mindfulness” is quite popular in our culture today, the concept has been a mainstay of Buddhist teaching for hundreds of years. It is a simple practice that is often under-appreciated or utilized. How much more effective and efficient would our efforts be if we were attentive to the behaviors, actions and steps that enriched or impeded our journey? 

    Mindfulness is the act of slowing down and becoming tuned in to the internal and external activity inhabiting our space and mind that impact our behaviors, emotions and thoughts at any given moment. Mindfulness is a process of observation and heightened awareness that increases our opportunity to master our behaviors, environment and daily outcomes. Had the chicken been more mindful, it may never have crossed the road, and if it had, it would surely have crossed at night or early morning when the traffic was low and its chance for success high. 

   I believe the ever-rapid conveyor belt of life inhibits our mindful focus. Many of us pay too little attention to what we are doing and why we are doing it. Life becomes a habit rather than a choice. The demands upon our time, attention and energy are tremendous and ever growing. The societal norm is based on more and more and faster and faster. This pace does not support an opportunity for calm reflection and attentive action. It supports reacting to the moment instead of being in the moment.  

  Practice setting aside some time (10-15 min) each day to quiet your mind, sit in a peaceful space and notice the thoughts, distractions and feelings that drift into your awareness. Mindful observations provide clarity and awareness and offers energy for a life that is more in harmony with personal values, interests and beliefs.

 Understand where you are going, why and the value of the journey.

Remember! If a chicken talks you into crossing the road, know what prompted you to say ok and always, always make sure the chicken goes first.