"Wherever you are, be all there." - Jim Elliot
No matter the religion or philosophies you follow, there is something to be taught from each of them. Over the past couple years, I have been intrigued with the teachings of the Buddhist ways, but I don't believe I categorize under any particular religion. I just follow teachings that I believe to have good intentions arising from the heart.
Whether you believe mindfulness is just the current trend of our time, or a resurrection of an age-old practice, it is something that is well worth bringing into your day-to-day schedule. You don't need to sit in lotus with your eyes sealed. You don't need to meditate around a circle of candles. You don't even need silence. The only necessity is your mind.
In this day and age, multi-tasking is inevitable. Multiple social media platforms, changing the radio while driving, texting while out to eat with a friend, emailing while doing work; we always find a way to get things done. While this is awesome from a business perspective, it can be a little detrimental for your well-being. We are always on the go, thinking about a million things at once, when's the last time you sat with nothing on your mind?
I know it may be hard to wrap our heads around, I mean, how can we have a blank mind? Not a single thought running through our brain. But mindfulness doesn't have to mean nothing, mindfulness is being present in the action you are currently doing. Next time you go on a walk, don't think about anything else, besides the fact that you are walking. Doing the dishes? Physically focus on the dish you are cleaning. Nothing else. The best part about being mindful is that you don't have to set time aside for it. You can utilize the practice in literally anything you are doing. The objective is to be present, don't have your mind wander on the test you need to study for, or how you're dreading going to work the next day. Just focus on what you're currently doing. Be present. Appreciate the now. Centering your thoughts to a seemingly mundane task can surprisingly make it enjoyable. Be grateful for the simple day you have and remember that it could be much worse.
With the society we are in, time can seem to fly by. We are either thinking about things we should've done, or thinking about what we need to do in the days to come. Well, what about now? Being in the moment can open doors to things you may not have noticed or appreciated if your mind was cluttered with other thoughts. There is so much beauty around us that can be soaked up, if we just would take the time to look.
No matter the task, whether it is walking along a creek or sweeping your kitchen, soak in every moment. Beauty can be found in even in the most ordinary places.
