Monday, June 24, 2013

Mindfulness Challenge: Week Three: Patience

I have missed a week; and, to you my readers, I apologize. It has been an interesting experience for me making this realization. My mood has gone from anger, to guilt, to reluctance to recommitment. It has allowed me an opportunity to practice acceptance, being non-judgmental, and most of all, now patience. Mostly patience with myself.

In our lives which may oftentimes be filled with busy, chaotic events, we may easily overlook the value of patience in our journey of accomplishment. Patience allows us the time to choose not to be reactive and instead, responsive. This in turn allows other possibilities to arise. Practicing patience allows us from succumbing to doubt, discouragement and fear.

This week's challenge: allow yourself so calm in the face of adverse and trying situations by practicing patience. Allow yourself to see the moment exactly for what it is and practice a non-reactive answer to it.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Mindfulness Challenge: Week Two: Beginner's Mind

Sir Oliver Wendell Holmes said that "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." What would it be like if every experience were a new one? Can you imagine? 

The Beginner's Mind is an intriguing concept. It encourages us to approach every situation, every event, every interaction as though we have never seen it before or as though we had never been there. To view an experience through an unfiltered lens allows us to observe new thoughts, sights, sounds, beliefs, etc. and grow from it. The been-there-done-that attitude closes us to growth and change and contributes to a lifestyle of being sedentary. 

Observe: See how many times your thoughts turn to denying yourself an experience because you have "already done it." 


Saturday, June 1, 2013

Mindfulness Challenge: Week 1: Non Judging

Through the next upcoming eight weeks, we will be exploring what is commonly referred to as the Seven Pillars of Mindfulness. Each week you are encouraged to engage in the presented pillar and reflect on your experience either internally or by journaling. While consistency is key with most aspects of our lives, there is no minimum nor maximum of time you experience these exercises. What is, is.

How do your judgements impact the quality of your relationships with others and your environment? Are you aware of the impact? We assign value to things we see, do, and experience which in turn locks us into reactions that we may not even be aware of and which reduce our objectivity. Non-judgment allows us to see things for what they are or what they are not, not what we attribute to them.

Notice your judgements but do not follow them down the rabbit hole. More significantly, judging our judgements only allows for more suffering. Just notice.

Try: for ten minutes observe how preoccupied you are with liking or disliking what you are experiencing.