Mindfulness
1 Simple Step Towards Mindfulness
Mindfulness is simply focusing on ‘THE PRESENT.’
This may sound a simple task? However, when life is lived at a relentless stressful pace, the concept of being present is assumed. I felt as a Parent, that I was present. I was always at home, I wasn’t out partying, but I now realise looking back, I was anything but present, as I was too exhausted to be‘Fully Present.’
I fortunately came to a juncture in my life when I realised my life was too busy. I led a life that leftbusy at the starting line. Being a Sole Parent, Working Full-Time in the Corporate World with extensive travel and caring for Ageing Parents, sadly was a life overflowing with too much stress.
I had no awareness of how I was feeling as I couldn’t let that thought cross my mind, I had to keep going, until, my body said STOP! Being able to stop was a true life-changing experience and once I did stop, my life began to open up to new and exciting experiences that I would never had discovered if I had continued along my busy life. I was also guided towards my new purpose in life Life Coaching.
In my new journey I discovered Meditation and Yoga. This may sound nothing to most, but this is from a true skeptic who truly felt neither meditation nor yoga would have any benefits for me, as I was too highly strung. I was to be proved very wrong!
Yoga and Meditation have become life changing for me. I would never have thought I would stop and begin to love and appreciate nature. To sit on the beach of a morning absorbing the sounds around me, instead of focusing on finishing 4, 5,or 6k’s run finished by a certain time. I learned to slow down, to observe and to truly listen to the waves crashing on the ocean shores, and I recall those beautiful sounds as I fall asleep at night. I now live in the country which is only 15 minutes from the closest beach, so now I wake each glorious day to the sound of birds, cows and a myriad of wildlife, which is a perfect way to start my day. My life is a quiet one where I am truly grateful for each and every day. Every new day, I feel I am a more empathetic, present human being and most importantly, a Present Parent. I am blessed to know what peace feels like thanks to MINDFULNESS.
If I can learn to slow down, I now know ANYBODY CAN.
My tip towards MINDFULNESS for everybody, is to learn the 4/7/8 Technique as follows:-
- BREATHE IN for the count of 4.
- HOLD YOUR BREATHE for the count of 7.
- BREATHE OUT slowly to the count of 8.
- Do the above BREATHING technique 4 TIMES .
I know you will feel calmer to cope with the stress that has triggered a sensation within you that is not enjoyable. I have learnt this technique and I practice it every day, and at times of extreme stress, which for me is during turbulence while flying on airplanes, it calms me immediately.
I hope this helps you as it did me!
xxx
