This article is a brief outline to help us practice mindfulness, surfing on this ocean of life. When we intentionally and mindfully take steps to slow down, we start to experience ourselves, even when we are on the go. Life moves at a very high speed with loads of stimulation constantly processing in minds and bodies. It is essential that we stay present in the moment, grateful for our surroundings, while staying kind and loving toward each other, but more importantly, ourselves.
Eleanor Brown, an American novelist, stated, “Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” When you take time for yourself, you can fill yourself up and it gives you more to give to others. This is why we are instructed to put on our oxygen mask first on an airplane, so that we can stay healthy to assist others. To ignore others and focus on ourselves is what it means to be selfish, not to care for yourself. We must care for ourselves just as we care for our children. What a great model we can be to teach our children self-love, kindness, boundaries, and balance for ourselves first and then each other. This is how we will find peace as a nation, there is true equality for everyone when we are not in conflict with ourselves.
Here are some suggestions to aid you in slowing down, increasing your self-care, and staying mindful on the go:
1) Plan to slow down each day – start with just 1-2 minutes and work up to 5 minutes. Call it a grounding practice, a prayer session, a reflection time, an intention setting, or a meditation. Whatever name works for you to remember. Slow down and be intentional with your focus on the moment. Use your breathing, notice the clock ticking, the birds singing, or go inward and notice something specific going on internally such as the pulse of blood through your hands. Continue working to stay there – gently and kindly moving back to the moment when you realize you have gotten distracted. Practice staying in the moment for as long as possible, even if it’s just a few seconds.
2) Remember that there is no place for judgment in this practice of slowing down. Whatever you notice, let it be, let yourself be, even with loads of distractions and thousands of reminders while you meditate. Success is about making the effort to slow down. You succeed only when you try.
3) Practice presence throughout your day whenever you think of it – feel your body, your senses, and notice what it feels like. When you find you are not in the present moment, gently bring yourself back without any judgment. As Eckart Tolle reminds us that the moment you realize that you are not in the moment, you automatically shift back! Shift yourself to presence as often as you can. The more you practice, the easier this becomes.
4) Try being in the moment and breathing while doing general household tasks or other work – check in with yourself and be a good friend to yourself. Create an inner world of kindness. Notice what it feels like for you to unload the dishwasher, take a walk, shower, drive, or sit at your desk.
5) Be grateful everyday for the blessings in your life. Review the things you are grateful for daily with an open heart.
To be present with yourself is to promote healing and positive energy to all those around you. Give yourself the gift of presence – focus on you for a time and find how you can really enhance your life and your relationships. Be with whatever you notice and unveil a garden of beauty within yourself. The next time you catch yourself moving fast – actively breathe and practice slowing down. We can only slow down with practice and patience. Take a little time each day to be with your thoughts, your body, and your spirit. With this presence, you will then create a mindfulness that always lives within you, whether sitting at ease or on the go.