Paying attention-Where am i right NOW?

I awoke so grateful for a great night of sleep and the sun shining so brightly….

Mindfulness.  We hear that word a lot in spiritual circles.  Often times people will say that their intention is to “live mindfully”.  What does it really mean-to be mindful?   Full of mind?  We tend to think of it in terms of our spiritual practice.  But a true spiritual practice, I believe, encompasses our total day.  There may be our morning practice where we “sit” quietly entering into the stillness.  We may include some breath work or some yoga in our morning practice.  We may have other gratitude or clearing practices that we use in this focused morning practice.  All of this is good and important as it sets up our day.

The true value of our practice is what happens when we step into the “real world”.  When we step off our yoga mat or off our meditation cushion.   Can we be mindful, full of mind, centered when life presents itself to us?  I am not even talking about times of crisis.  Stop for a moment right now.  How relaxed are you in your face, jaw, shoulders?  Do you feel “urgent”, anxious, “pressing forward”.   Could you be more relaxed in your body and breath RIGHT NOW? 

As we practice mindfulness, paying attention, we will know where we set our keys, wallet, purse  We will be able to remember if we ate breakfast or lunch.

Eckerdt Tolle invites us to always have some awareness of that place of stillness that we carry inside….to keep our “first attention” on how we are feeling  and moving through our life in each moment. 

A practice is just that.  We practice.  We don’t have to have a recital or do it perfectly.  We practice. 

This week practice paying attention.  Become more mindful about the foods you choose to put into your amazing bodies.  Become more mindful about HOW you eat your food.  Become more mindful about how you are holding your body, moving in your body, feeling in your body. Become more mindful about where you set things.  Become more mindful of your breath. 

When we become more mindful, when we pay attention, we will lose less time and feel more relaxed.  We won’t suddenly be rushed or frantic to find our keys or our wallet/purse.  We won’t suddenly be late and have to race to where we are going.  We will be aware of what is coming up.  We will be prepared for our day.  We will be able to relax and enjoy ourselves more.

We don’t have to do it perfectly.  

Let me know how a day feels after you have been more mindful!  I know how good it makes me feel to just be very mindful in a moment……thanks for reading!  blessings, melanie