In life we are moving through many experiences, right? We notice how those experiences affect us and how our actions in each moment of each experience have a hand in the way that things unfold. For instance, some of us work and communicate using a variety of electronic messaging. We can probably reflect on an emails that we composed as one of those off the hip quick replies which didn't really get us anywhere. This can also be the same with interactions that we have with our friends, children, partners and other people who we come in contact with. We have this sort of built-in quick reply that gives others the impression that we aren't present to the people in our lives and the various experiences or situations. It is easy to check-out because we don't often practice how to fully be present. Instead we may be asked to multi-task (which isn't even a real thing that the brain can do.) Trying to do too many things at once leaves a lot of things undone. When we allow our thoughts and energy to be pulled everywhere even our experiences suffer. If we can't let go of the stuff that is not in-front of us, if we can't put away the technology that is pulling us away, and if we can't slow down then we will never feel and be the experience of life.
So what is mindfulness anyways? Mindfulness is the experience and in a way the thing within each experience that brings us happiness. It is intentionally slowing down, being present and committed to the experience at hand. Making a choice "on-purpose" to not get pulled away from the moment. We take the actions in every step and check in with our thoughts along the way without judgement of any or attachment within any of it. We simple give permission and allow ourselves to put everything outside of the experience at hand away. We feel, sense, hear, smell, touch, be and completely become the experience. How do we start to make this intentional shift of being more mindful? Developing mindfulness can start by just slowing down. Slowing down, watching and giving yourself time to breath so that you may taking the right action. Start by taking the time to read an email all the way through before replying. Purposely look for missed or important details, make sure not to skip steps in processes, or ignore the smallest parts of information. Always breathe. Make the intention to communicate and reply in a clear, sincere, directive and well thought out that is also kind. You then get to choose if a reply or action is even needed at all. With mindfulness practices we are able to train our brains and whole self to be present in the moment paying attention to every detail in every way during each experience. Mindfulness allows us to complete tasks, conversations, actions and interactions in a thoughtful meaningful way. As the experiences change we shift and are able to end something without feeling stress that loose ends have been left behind. As we move mindfully through our experiences the feeling of lightness, ease and happiness increases.
If you would like to get your feet wet with some simple mindfulness practices checkout our 10-days of mindfulness posts on Instagram @wellness_staffers
Much love and service,
Jessica Carpenter
Wellness Staffers
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