A few moments of mindfulness make a world of difference. -Sue Patton Thoele
Thoele is referring to mindfulness in everyday life that brings us new perspectives on almost everything. Here, mindfulness can mean sitting in meditation with eyes closed, focusing on the movement of our breath, focusing on a mantra or simply witnessing what is. Yet, it can also mean bringing our attention to each moment in a new, refreshing and active way regardless of where we are and what we are doing or how we are being.
The ways to be mindful are plentiful. They are simultaneously simple while they are deep. We can bring mindfulness to practically everything we think, feel, believe and do. Let us take some activities from a morning routine for instance. After we wake up and walk out of the bed, we can be mindful with every step we take. We can bring attention to each moment as we pick up a cup or sip the first cup of morning tea or coffee. We can be mindful of each action we take while cutting fruits or preparing breakfast. Or we can become mindful of the moment when we look outside the window to welcome the new day. It can be in the way we land our first glance on the people and pets we love. It is the attention we give to receiving love from another being. It is the attention we give to experiencing the gentle sounds of birds outside our window. And so on...
Mindfully bringing attention to our thoughts and our words can be powerful and can mean a world of difference for ourselves and those we interact with. One of its functions is to bring our awareness away from our ego-mind and towards our spirit. Connecting to our spirit gives us a glimpse of the peace and unlimited potentiality that lies within each of us. In just a matter of seconds we feel a fresh energy that empowers and strengthens us. Just noticing the flow of our breath for a minute or two connects us with our spirit. It need not be hours of meditative practice; just a moment or two. Now you know some of the ways how to be mindful in any moment.
This practice of mindfulness can lead to tremendous change within ourselves. It is solid preparation for times when we are faced with huge challenges. Think of it this way, let us say I fall into deep water. Now would not be the best time to learn how to swim; although I could try. It may be difficult to recall all the under water olympics videos I have seen of how athletes swim and then trying to mimic them. It would help to have practiced swimming already before I fall in the water. Or in other words: let us say I need to take a written test or exam. When I enter the hall to take the test, it would be ideal that I come prepared rather than open my notes and start studying now. Similarly, practicing mindfulness for a moment here and moment there and gradually several moments throughout the day, helps to meet life with a sense of preparation. This gives us the strength, the faith and the courage to meet any moment with love and appreciation. It is then when we can meet the moment and say, "Hello, Moment. Thank you for being here. What are you here to teach me? What can I learn about myself from you? What do I need to master?" It is then we converse with life in a new language along with a renewed sense of reverence.
This is an invitation: Practice mindfulness a few moments a day. I have and it has changed my life.
Love and more love,
-Sophia Ojha
