Beginnings...
Looking back at the past year, I can't believe how far I've come.
I've recently realized that we work and work and we only tend to see all the things we HAVE NOT done yet. We look around our home, our job, our life and we say "Oh, I have SO much to do still", and we see all the things we haven't started or those that are in progress, and especially those things sitting around, unfinished or abandoned.
We do not see what others see: the things we have accomplished, sometimes in a very short time. We judge where we are by what we still have to finish rather then looking at our surroundings with non-judgemental eyes and giving ourself credit for the work we've successfully completed. It actually takes training and practice to step outside ourselves and look at our progress and see it how others might. We are always pushing ourselves, we're SO harsh when it comes to not being happy with where we are. We always want to be those five steps ahead rather then where we stand right now. Yet when we get there, then what? What will you remember about the journey one it's done? Probably not as positive of memories as you could have. Probably a lot of stress and exhaustion because you weren't living in the moment, you were living in the future, that day when you were going to reach that goal, finish that project or job.
Lately I've been trying to focus on the journey rather then the destination, (we always see that famous quote) but it seems so difficult to actually do that. We focus on the end product instead of enjoying every day, each little step that it's taking to get there. We've been pushed to only focus on completing a task. It's always "keep your eyes on the prize" Well, that sounds great, but if you're doing that, you are most likely missing out on some pretty incredible things that are occurring on the way.
I am a huge fan of "mindfulness'. It's a word that sometimes gets thrown around too much, and often it's used as a buzzword now and we need to be mindFUL about our mindfulness, if that makes sense! Many companies and huge corporations are promoting ideas that are based in Eastern philosophies, but they're bending and changing them to fit their own purposes, which is sad because they're missing out on the true meaning and benefits that those practicing mindfulness can experience.
mind·ful·ness
ˈmīn(d)f(ə)lnəs/
noun
1. the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
"their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition"
2. a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
I especially like the second definition. "...calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings..." How wonderful is THAT? Yet how many of us actually DO that? I try to do it every minute of every day. I don't always succeed, but the more I do it, the better I get. It's a LEARNED behavior, I can tell you that. But it does get easier with practice. Just in thinking about mindfulness, you can be achieving it.
Let me tell you this as well: Mindfulness will keep you from making some big mistakes, it'll help you avoid fights or arguments that in the end are really unnecessary, counterproductive or just downright silly and happen because of knee-jerk reactions or heightened emotions. It'll help you NOT say the wrong thing at the wrong time, to the wrong person. It'll save you a lot of apologies. It'll save you a lot of guilt. It'll help you lose weight. (wait, what?!) Yes, I was a MINDLESS eating machine in the past, much like one of my favorite creatures, sharks! I gained so much weight in the past when I would just grab anything that "sounded" good, stuffing it in my mouth out of sheer habit. I ate when I was upset, sad, frustrated, or even just bored. So many of us eat (snacking is a classic example) out of total boredom. We wander into the kitchen and just start poking through the pantry or fridge, not even knowing what we want or why we're about to eat it. More often then not, we aren't even actually hungry. I know because in all this, I'm describing myself in the past.
Mindfulness is a beautiful thing. This is from "Psychology Today":
"Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience."
Doesn't that sound nice? A lot less stressful, huh?
Don't wait for the day "it's done!", enjoy the learning, savor each moment, remember the steps it took to get there and don't obsess about them. The whole thing will go faster, smoother, and in the end, you'll find you're so much happier and the rewards are much greater.
If you are ready to try it, visit below and read this really wonderful article, also from Psychology Today.
There's a saying that is the opposite of "eyes on the prize". It's "take time to stop and smell the roses". I personally prefer the latter.
