Mindful Moments
Most of us are of sound mind, but many of us have trouble maintaining a note of harmony and peace. Most of us know how to think, but few of us are able to control our thoughts. We all have the capacity to be creative, to image new ideas, but few of us are able to do it together and co-create in harmony with each other. We could all do with some mental training so that we may use the most powerful energy in the universe, the mind, which is always at our instant disposal.
We can begin with mindfulness. It's a simple way to gently help our mind go where it is best to go, do what is the best thing to do. It begins by simply being fully aware of what you are doing. Mostly we are not fully aware, as our minds wander into the past and then into possible futures. We spend most of our time watching others and so rarely fully focus on what we are actually doing ourselves. Next time you sit down to a meal, watch your self. Be aware of only what you are eating. Every time your mind wants to wander, bring it gently and lovingly back to the action and sensation of eating. Then do the same when cleaning, when writing, when working. The more you do it stronger and more focused and more rational will be your concentration, the more natural will be your actions, the more peaceful you will feel, and the more relaxed you will be, no matter what you are doing.
Daily Thoughts fromwww.thoughtfortoday.org.uk
How often do you actually think about what you are doing throughout the day - eating, drinking, cleaning, cooking, washing etc., etc? Most of our daily life is accomplished on auto-pilot, things we do regularly, so familiar that we can do them without thinking - like breathing. I know I have even driven to work and when I've thought about the journey I can't really remember much about it unless something unusual has happened.
I think we take so much for granted we don't really experience every moment and everything we do, unless we are ill and can no longer do the everyday things we take for granted.
Take a moment to concentrate on your next task, no matter how mundane it may seem and see if you feel a difference in what you accomplish.
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Storyteller (Small Reflections) has very kindly passed on this lovely award to me.
Storyteller received it from the creator of the award Greatfullivin who bestowed it onto 12 lucky bloggers.
Now you know me by now I find it very difficult to choose from the many blogs I read so as Greatfullivin gave it to 12 I'd like the first 12 people who comment on this post to take this award because I am grateful that you bothered to stop and read and comment. Now don't be shy at taking it because I'll be over to check out your blog to see if you've posted it!
30 comments:
A very interesting proposal.
I don't do any of that nearly often enough.
Dear Akelamalu,
Another great post!
every single day am learning a lot from you! thank you for all the inspiration..
sure I will try!
Congrats on your award!
♥ & ((hugs))
bindi
My mind is always somewhere else. I think it would take some time and training to not let it wander...it would be as difficult as sitting next to window with a beautiful view and not looking out!
congrats on your award, and thank you for forwarding it forward.
I read the book "The Monk who sold his ferrari" which also teaches us the practice of mindful moments and how to still our mind. I'm trying to do that and to appreciate even the small things in life. Not easy to do, but it's worth a try.
I love that thought for the day Akela.
Sorry Ive been a bit absent, derrr, still working on my update so it's all been a bit crazy. I have a reader now, as of yesterday, and life is so much easier as I can see who's posted when and where. I should have done it months ago, sighhh.
Anyway, congrats on the lovely award, And I'd love to have it, but I won't be able to blog it for a while as my awards page isn't done yet, and my blog is having more work done on it. Nightmare.
Now I must go catch up on some more of your posts.
Hugs.
Thank you for the reminder, Akelamalu. The one thing I do tend to do with mindfulness is unload the dishwasher. I usually do it when my coffee's brewing in the morning, and there's something very satisfying about putting away the dishes in their proper places. It would be nice to have this feeling all day!
If you mean that about the first 12 commenters taking that award, I will claim it! It is really beautiful, and a little synchronicity has occurred. First thing when I woke up this morning I said, "Thank you for the gift of this life, the gift of this day." Do I usually say this? NO. So the timing of the availability of this little blogging award is a sweet reminder to keep up the gratitude.
THANK YOU. We must continue to visit each other's blogs.
And have a beautiful day.
I thought so too Trav :)
Me neither Jennifer!
Ah Bindi, we all learn from one another x
Yes it does take a while to get yourself into that mindset Miss U but it is worth it if you can do it. :)
Thanks Bella, do let me know how you get on stilling your mind, it's an interesting exercise. :)
I missed you Jo, it's nice to see you again. :)
I too love putting things away in their rightful place San! Please do take the award and I believe in synchronicity too, so I think you were meant to have it m'dear. xx
hehe, so i'll take the award since you kindly say so, I feel so shy. haha :)
yeah, sometimes when we are too abundant with materials around, we take it for granted, all the time. but when we lose them then only will we treasure those small details. thanks for the reminder! :)
Thanks for the reminder dear one...
You take the award with my blessing Elween x
You're welcome Anndi x
Dear Akelamalu,
I saw you couldn't watch my baby videos...sorry sweetie..
I have some videos in youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZx1G21kQP8&feature=related
i will upload again with my post..
just now only i realize you pass your beautiful award to me too... :) am i dreaming... Thank you dear one.
♥ & ((hugs))
bindi
...Well I would be commenter number bloomin thirteen, wouldn't I?!
Lovely post today, and very true. I am going to try very hard to be more aware, starting RIGHT NOW.
G.I.M x
Yet another award over here for you from The Fixer!
Thanks for the reminder, your right, so much of my day is on auto pilot. I'm just off to clean my teath (before bed) I'll try and enjoy it!
this was a really interesting, thought provoking post. as you know I'm working on living in the moment and these thoughts really helped me.
thanks.
I do this sometimes. I don't concentrate on the task so much as clear my mind and just be in the task. Like when I'm painting or digging in the garden or chopping dinner ingrediants. It reminds me of a Zen teacher who said, "When you driv,e just drive." I try to remmeber that.
Awareness waxes and wanes... Always good to refocus on it..
Love the Thought for the Day... Nice addition.
In this day in age we fill up our days with so many activities its now wonder we seem to drift through the daily tasks.
I'm not usual in that I have been mindful of everything in a meditative way since I was a small kid. But I do think that writers tend to notice sensory things more than most people. I know I've stepped back from myself even in the middle of crying sometimes so I can 'record' it in my mind for future use when writing.
Thanks for reminding us of what is truly important.
Please take the award and enjoy it Bindi and I will take a look at your videos later. x
You're only #11 GIM so please take the award and do let me know how you get on with your mindful moment. :)
Oh how lovely, thank you MOTL, I'll be over later. x
I'll be interested to know how it goes Suburbia :)
Glad to be of assistance Dianne :)
Good examples, gardening and cooking, of a time when you can just be in the moment Citizen!
Yes it does Buffalo.
I've had 'thought for the day' since I first started Josh but it's been up and down my sidebar like a bride's nightie so you've probably not noticed it before. Glad you like it :)
So true Jeff!
I don't think I've ever analysed to that extent but I can see it would be a good exercise Julia x
You're welcome David xx
Clever way to pass the award along ;--)
I was happy to share it with you. I read this post yesterday before you have a dozen comments so I opted to wait to leave my two cents. Like you, I find ‘inspirational sources’ help keep me ‘on track’ when I start to meander … so thanks for sharing this link.
Hugs and blessings,
I'm happy you approve of the way I've passed the award on Storyteller and that you enjoyed the link. x
As someone who has been caught up in Tibetan Buddhism for some time now, I love that you blogged about mindfulness. It is truly better for us to focus on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking is unhealthy, yet we push ourselves to do just that all the time!
My mother once visited with me when my kids were young. She watched me rush, rush, rush sunup to sundown, the whole routine including a full-time job outside the home and daycare and shopping and cooking - you know the drill. She, the woman who'd had five kids of her own, told me that she could have never done it, all the things I managed. That kind of woke me up to how harried my life had become. Thankfully it's a little slower now. There are sacrifices we make in order to slow down, but it's worth it.
Peace - D
(P.S. - found you through David's interview!)
I was the same when the boys were young Momma but as you say the sacrifices for a slower pace of life are definitely worth it. Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to comment. :)
Congrats on your award. I am trying to be mindful; it really is a useful technique to learn...
Thanks for the wonderful reminder. I will commence mindfully eating this bowl of ice cream right... Now.
Hurrah! I have finally figured out how to collect and display my award!
Merci beacoup!
girlwiththemask x
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