As we rush through our busy lives trying to fit as much as humanly possible into the short hours of the day, you wonder: There must be a way to actaully enjoy all these hours, minutes and seconds. We are so busy planning what we will be doing in five minutes, tomorrow, or a month from now, that we forget about the present. We forget how wonderful it is to simply breath, take in the scenery, and to actually exist in the present moment. So much of our lives pass us by because our minds are whirling with tons of thoughts, concerns, and analyzations of the past and future. The key to enjoying one’s life is to actually be present in life. Makes sense, huh? This is mindfulness.
“Mindfulness frees us of forgetfulness and dispersion and makes it possible to live fully each minute of life. Mindfulness enables us to live…You should know how to breathe to maintain mindfulness, as breathing is a natural and extremely effective tool which can prevent dispersion. Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever you mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.”- Thich Nhat Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness
Concentrating on one’s breath focuses the mind and draws one back to the present moment and out of the clouds of swirling thoughts in the mind. Much like meditation aims to clear and calm the mind in order to restore and rejuvinate, mindfulness offers a way to maintain and practice a focused, clear mind through out the day so the mind is “available” to enjoy life to it’s fullest.
To be mindful is to keep you attention focused on the task at hand, to be alert and ready to handle ably and intelligently any situation which may arise. A simple way to practice mindfulness is to bring attention to your breath. By practicing being present with your breath you can work on feeling and living every moment. Here are some simple mindfulness exercises to give you a jump off point!
Perfect while rocking out to your ipod!
Following you breath while listening to music:
Listen to a piece of music. Breathe long, light, and even breaths. While inhaling think “I am inhaling”, feel your lungs and stomach expand. While exhaling think “I am exhaling”, feel your lungs and stomach contract. Follow your breath, be master of it while remaining aware of the movement and sentiments of the music. Do not get lost in the music, but continue to be master of your breath and your self.
If you want to feel good when waking up and look forward to all the possibilities of the day try a half-smile…
Half-smile when you first wake up in the morning:
Hang a branch, any other sign, or even the word “smile” on the ceiling or wall so that you see it right away when you open your eyes. This sign will serve as your reminder. Use these seconds before you get out of bed to take hold of your breath. Inhale and exhale three breaths gently while maintaining the half smile. Follow your breaths.
When your house is so cluttered and dusty you can’t stand it anymore…
Cleaning House:
Divide your work into stages: straightening things and putting away books, scrubbing the toilet, scrubbing the bathroom, sweeping the floors and dusting. Allow a good length of time for each task. Move slowly, three times more slowly than usual. Fully focus your attention on each task. For example, while placing a book on the shelf, look at the book, be aware of what book it is, know that you are in the process of placing it on the shelf, intending to put it in that specific place. Know that you hand reaches for the book, and picks it up. Avoid any abrupt or harsh movement. Maintain mindfulness of the breath, especially when your thoughts wander.
After a long day at the office, when all you want to do is slip into the tub…
A slow-motion bath:
Allow yourself 30 to 45 minutes to take a bath. Don’t hurry for even one second. From the moment you prepare the bathwater to the moment you put on clean clothes, let every motion be light and slow. Be attentive of every movement. Place your attention to every part of your body, without discrimination or fear. Be mindful of each stream of water on your body. By the time you’ve finished, your mind should feel as peaceful and light as your body. Follow your breath. Think of yourself as being in a clean and fragrant lotus pond in the summer.
All of these mindful exercises and more can be found in The Miracle of Mindfulness
So take the time to live life to the fullest! Why waste one more second of your life living in the future? All of these exercises can be utilized on even the busiest of days, so enjoy!
