Being Mindful

Recently I discovered something that has made a big impact on my life. You may be familiar with it. You, like me, may be just discovering it now. Or, you may have never heard of it until today. In any case, I feel compelled to share this life changing practice with you.

Some time ago, I began to experience an anxiety that was quite new to me. Blame hormones, or age, or the weather...whatever it was...it was interfering with my normal, daily, happy life. Enter a friend of Steve's, who just so happens to be a doctor, and whose own wife was experiencing the same thing. He suggested to Steve that I look into something called Mindfulness. Specifically...Mindfulness Meditation. Steve mentioned it to me, and I decided I had nothing to lose by looking it up. To my surprise, I found a great deal of information on this practice which has been around for awhile. Typical me...always late to the party. : )

I immediately felt connected to the things I was reading, and realized that, unlike most everything else I start, this would be something I could and would actually enjoy and benefit from. So I dove right in. I have to tell you, I am so glad I did. Mindfulness is not a five step program. It isn't a fad. It doesn't cost a penny. Well, unless you get the app, and I suggest you do. It is simply a way of life. It is looking at life in a new way...a mindful way. But I am no expert on it. So, I took to Pinterest and found something that will explain it much better than I ever could...

And here is the app. I downloaded it onto my phone from the App Store. I use it Every.Single. Day.

Ask me to walk or exercise every morning...not gonna happen.

Ask me to sit and relax and listen to my own breathing.

I'm in!

There are books and articles and apps galore on Mindfulness.

I am merely one person who found that by slowing down, living in the present, being mindful of the moments in the present life I am living, I found a peace I had not experienced before. Anxiety about would could happen in the future became less and less, as I learned to embrace the now. This practice, combined with my faith and prayer has helped me enjoy my daily life without being fearful of possible scenarios of the future. One of my favorite sayings from one of my favorite meditation teachers on the app, Rick Hanson, is something along the lines of "The future will come when it comes." And another, "You're alright right now".

And that's that.

Have a cozy, mindful day, my friends.

Thanks for visiting! : )