OVERTHINKING VS BEING MORE MINDFUL
There is something in me that is always bubbling away under the surface
and it used to manifest as worry or over-thinking. I finally realized how
pointless it was to brood over the past, or to be trying to constantly
plan my future in every tiny detail.Now I try to catch myself before the
bubbling takes over and starts eating away at my happiness. Here's three
easy ways I've discovered lately to calm my mind and to appreciate being
in the moment.
SAVOURING THE LAST BITE
I have just finished reading "The Heir Of Novron" by Michael J. Sullivan. In one scene where the main characters are facing almost certain death, they ask a young monk why he isn't worried. He replies:Life is only as precious as you wish it to be, I look at it like the last bite of a wonderful meal - do you enjoy it, or does the knowledge that there is no more to follow make it so bitter that you would ruin the experience?
Each day is a gift granted me, and it would be wasted if spent poorly. Besides, for me, I've learned that the last bite is often the sweetest.
Worry does that to you, you are so busy planning ahead in case of disaster, you miss savouring the moment you are in. How many "sweet" moments have I missed by letting possible future events spoil the moment? My plan now is to remember his words and savour as many sweet bites of life as possible. There are no guarantees except for the moment we are in - so why not enjoy it?
THE TIBETAN MONK
While we're on the subject of monks, I also saw this little video on Facebook recently - it's short, sweet and I know I have a monkey mind chattering away incessantly. I'm now using his little piece of advice to remember to breathe and to just "be" and let my monkey mind have a rest now and then.MINDFULNESS JARS
Another fun thing I've turned my hand to lately is Mindfulness Jars. A lot of Mommy Bloggers have written about them because they use them as part of time out with their children. The jars give their child something to focus on and it calms them down.My husband and I made a few (he's planning on using them with his counselling clients) but I've kept one for myself - watching that glitter sparkle and gradually settle brings a smile to my face and slows me down for a couple of minutes. Mindfulness at its best.
If you're interested in making one for yourself there is a link HERE - you might need to play around with the amount of glitter and glue you use to get the consistency right. We used Voss water bottles because they look great (and also come in plastic if you have kids).
A little video of our jars in action:
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I'm terrible at 'living in the now' and it's something I want to work on. One of the many changes I'm trying to make which involves me obsessing less about the wrong stuff!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Deb - I have the monkey mind all the time. But I figure you have to start somewhere and these are all easy to do.
DeleteI've really tried to be more mindful this year Leanne and created my morning rituals to take time to really just be in the moment. I love the idea of your Mindfulness Jars they sound like the old lava lamps from the 70s which are now back in fashion LOL:)
ReplyDeleteI love lava lamps Sue - I have a pink one that I don't use very often but it still fascinates me watching the blobs glide up and down - and it's another type of mindfulness isn't it?
DeleteI love those jars and I love the mindful reminder. It really is a quality of life thing, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteCarol
In this crazy world we live in Carol I think we need to find those quality moments wherever we can - it keeps the stress at bay.
DeleteOh my gosh. I wish you could see me jumping around in my office. These jars? My 11-year-old? Together they would be mindfulness perfection!!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to make one for her Carla - she'd love it :)
DeleteSometimes at an event if I anticipate, visually think about, my mindfulness at the event works better. There is a fine line for me though if I over think, over anticipate the event I am not as 'now'. Mindfulness jars are new to me. I like it. For some reason I did not see a link to your video.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you missed seeing the jars sparkling Haralee - they are so pretty. And yes I know what you mean about being prepared for something, it's when I come up with Plan A then B then C and before I know it I'm up to Plan P and Q - ridiculous really!
DeleteI love this idea! My mind is never quiet even though I try to ignore it most times.
ReplyDeleteMine is a bit like a hamster wheel at times Rena - if something as easy as taking a breath helps then why not? :)
DeleteI love the jars Leanne! I may have to try them...
ReplyDeleteThey were so easy and I love them - I took one to work to give me a little smile now and then in a busy day.
DeleteHi Leanne! Love the idea with the glitter jars! Yowza! I bet I could get lost in them! ;) I think it's important to be "mindful" all the time, especially in our own lives. A simple meditation helps me remember what' most important in life and keeps me grounded. Thanks for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteBren @ A Splash of Cray
I love your Splash of Cray Bren - it sums up living in this full on world doesn't it? And yes I need to work on my meditations skills - breathing is a beginning.
DeleteWow! All three of these rock!
ReplyDeleteThe last bite is definitely the best. And I'm giving my monkey mind something to look at now. And googling those mindfulness jars. Thank you!
I'm glad you liked them Di - I could see Mother Christmas making them for the little Tolley grandkids this year :)
DeleteThanks for reminding us of the importance of living in the moment. Challenging in these tough times.
ReplyDeleteI think we all need a little reminder to slow down now and then don't we Camille?
DeleteLove this. I gave my Voss bottle to a co-worker so she could make one of these bottles for her son. When he gets over excited she sits him down with it and he calms down watching it. I got myself a phone case that actually has sparkles in water and when I'm on a conference call, I play with the case. It's very soothing.
ReplyDeleteThose Voss bottles are too good to throw away - and it was nice to not have to justify paying for water when I bought them (the water was an added bonus) Getting the lettering off the glass versions took a few attempts but once I figured out a technique it was a piece of cake (the plastic ones are easier - they peel off)
DeleteTHIS moment, this breath is all we have NOW. And even though I listen to enough mindfulness CDs and apps it is oh so hard to bring myself back to the present but I do much more than I used to. Good on you for your ideas. Love them. Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 9/52. Next week: Must Watch TV.
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - I'm the same - I need to remind myself regularly that all I have is this moment and to stop fretting over stuff and just be present. I think I'm getting better at it :)
DeleteGreat post. I am always telling my daughter to appreciate today, because you can't get it back. I try to be in the moment as much as possible. I think it drives my husband crazy, because I don't like to think about future plans. lol! I am enjoying today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at Over The Moon Party,
Bev
My husband says that he doesn't make plans - it was a revelation to me because I realized that I'd been the one who made all the plans! Now I'm trying to be more Zen and go with the flow like he does.
DeleteToday is my dog, Sam's, last day here. This afternoon I'm sending him to live with God. It's Sam's time and the best thing I can do for him. It's breaking my heart, but I can't let Sam know that. I don't want him to sense my distress and be afraid, today. Instead, I'm down on the floor, loving him and giving him his favorite massage. I won't miss these last few moments with this darling little man. Thanks, Leanne.
ReplyDeleteThese moments are all we have aren't they Brenda? And I'm so sorry that you have to let Sam go. It's not fair that their lives are so much shorter than ours. Sending a hug to you today x
DeleteThanks for the reminder to slow down and be mindful of all the wonderful little things that life has to offer right in the moment. I tend to forget this valuable advice as I go speeding around in circles, living a "busy" life.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big culprit of living a "busy" life too Carol - so much happening and before I know it the day/week/month/year has zoomed by and I didn't appreciate it as much as I should have.
DeleteI wrote a post awhile back that might interest you. It's about something that changed my life....hope you will find it interesting.http://nanahood.com/where-can-i-find-happiness-in-life
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at NanaHood. I really enjoyed your post and I have monkeys in my brain too! Teresa
Thanks for the link up Teresa and I'll pop over and check out that link - happiness is so important isn't it?
DeleteI'm in a meditation class that meets once a week this month so this post really caught my eye. The video on 'monkey mind' reminded me of my instructor. He has that same easy humor. I realize that I've been doing small bits of meditation throughout my day. Now I'm trying to make more of a practice of it by setting aside a time of the day.
ReplyDeletehttps://meinthemiddlewrites.com/
Life zooms past and you find there hasn't been time for a breather and you wonder why you're stressed. I have to keep reminding myself and my brain to take it easy now and then.
DeleteSomehow I missed this one when you first posted it, but I'm glad the universe brought it to me when I needed the reminder. I just love the quote about life being sweet and we should enjoy every bite, especially the last bite. I'm also going to check out the mindfulness jars--an easy way to add a visual aspect to my mindfulness practice. Thanks Leanne!
ReplyDelete