“For those of you who don’t know, mindfulness is a state of mind and a state of being. It can be defined by one sentence: awareness of the present experience with acceptance. So many of us spend too much time worrying about the future or obsessing about the decisions we made in the past, that we miss out on the present. We do not stop and enjoy the moments; rather we wish that time would hurry up so we can reach moments that we assume will bring us happiness.” This is the story of my life. I have been so overwhelmed for the last few years with family obligations, work, school and stress that I have been trying to rush forward all the time every minute without savoring the good parts of everyday. I have been striving to reach goals that are unattainable, or when I get there I don’t feel any happier, or more relaxed. Sound familiar? I work every day helping client’s master mindfulness but realized I am not always practicing it. Finally I took a break and spent last week away with my daughters. Not only did we have a great time, but I came home truly having experienced what it means to relax. To enjoy every day and every moment. Yes we were away and disconnected we were also in another country and that made it easier. One sheep farmer we met told us about having “time” and what time meant to him and how he had plenty of it. I thought “really? But he has no employees or anyone but his wife to help him on a huge sheep farm.” But for him he got done what needed to get done and the rest was for another day. He really stuck with me. It was a resounding wake up call. I came home resolved and refreshed, and also determined to take every day as it comes. I realized that I have probably been missing out on life’s everyday joys because we can be blinded by our need to reach the future. Every day is a blessing and a joy. The next moment is not the happy one, the one we are in now, is. So folks, practicing what I preach! Give it a try? Resources http://campus.ie/health/healthy-mind/mindfulness-the-key-to -a-stress-free-life
