Living A Life Of Mindfulness

Many tools and techniques can help us on our journey to finding our life purpose. Some methods are directly connected to our life purpose, and others are stepping stones for overall life improvement.  I believe that practicing mindfulness will help you gain control of your thoughts and feelings at all times.

Mindfulness Means Paying Attention On Purpose

We all have moments where we think we are paying attention, but our minds begin to wander to everything except what we should focus on.

Here is how you can start the practice of paying attention on purpose:

Be conscious of where your focus lies. Don't allow yourself to think about things without being intentional. Focus on specific items, and don't let your mind wander.

We all have moments where we get so caught up with the events of the day that we are not paying attention to the here and now.

Let me share an example we all can relate to.  You have the task of writing a 10-page paper. You gather all of your materials, and you sit down to write. You get your first sentence out, and then your mind begins the process of wandering. You have thoughts about what you will eat for dinner or the conversation you had with your best friend. The paper has been removed from the current view of your mind.

Before you know it, hours have passed, and all you have completed is the first sentence. Not only do you have to write a paper, but you have wasted hours.

How do you change the scenario and start paying attention on purpose?

You start by getting yourself in the habit of focusing on the thing you want to do. Focusing helps you accomplish the task at hand but make sure it is only one thing.

The practice of focusing takes willpower, but once you become good at it, you will control where you place your focus at all times.

When you begin to feel, your mind wanders, intentionally bring your focus to the one thing you should be giving your attention to at that time.

If a meeting is your focus at the moment, but you feel yourself thinking about your next vacation, acknowledge the thought and leave it to refocus intentionally to the meeting.

You have to make yourself intentionally remember the reason you are doing the task at hand. Refocusing gives the job a purpose and allows us to focus on our feelings when performing the task.

Mindfulness Means Living In Present Moment

Yes, I know we all say we are living in the moment, but the truth is most of us are not.  Living in the moment means not living in the past. It also means not living in the future. I'm not saying anything is wrong with reminiscing or planning for the future, but you can't stay there.

When you feel yourself slipping into the past, purposefully drive yourself back to the present moment.  I know past events provide us with lessons, but we do not have to live in the past to learn the lesson.

Continuously reliving past moments can keep us attached to the feelings and emotions that may not have been good.

Living in the future keeps us in a state of worry about the things that may or may not happen. How can you live the present when you are so concerned about the future?

Stopping yourself from continually thinking about the future and bringing yourself back to the present moment keeps you focus on the here and now instead of the what-ifs.

You cannot change the things that already happened, and you cannot predict the future so enjoy the moments as you have them.

Living in the present moment offers us the opportunity to feel, experience, and create new memories.

One way you can help yourself stay in the moment is through meditation. Meditation is excellent for present living because you feel everything at that moment. Through meditation, you learn to be, and you know how to refocus your mind back to the current moment.

Meditation can take many forms. Sometimes, it is a trial and error process before you find the right way for you, but it will be worth it.

Mindfulness Is Paying Attention Without Passing Judgement

Judgment is something we all deal with, whether we are judging ourselves or others. Judgment keeps us from enjoying the current moment.

How many times have you been in a conversation with someone, and instead of paying attention, you are focusing on how you will respond?

We may become defensive, especially if we do not like what the person is saying. We get turned off and start judgment the person.

We have to let go of judgments and negative emotions. These things keep us in our minds, whether we are second-guessing ourselves or rethinking old situations. Being mindful means we experience whatever is happening around you and not attach any feelings to it.

Most of the time, the Judgement we feel is not coming from anyone else. It all is internal, and we project it on to others. Emotions and Judgement are temporary. They can change just like the weather. Don't let something brief keep you from something long-lasting.

Making a conscious effort to live a mindful life can start when you decide to make the change.  Are you ready to make the change?