Often we can see ‘mindfulness’ only within the context of relaxation. An activity similar to meditation, whereby we pause our busy lives with the intention of quietening our minds and therefore sending a signal of well-being and nourishment to our emotions and bodies. We notice and savour a beautiful sunset; we notice the laughter of children; we notice the colours of the leaves in season; we notice and savour the tastes and colours of a meal. Aspects of mindfulness certainly do involve noticing and embracing the meaning of each present moment and are necessary to our well-being, but if we look briefly at a definition, it says;

a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations

This is more than just being calm and focusing on the present moment. This is acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations. So mindfulness is not just noticing what you’re doing and being present and fully conscious within that moment so that you can appreciate the colours, the sounds, or the people you are with. Sometimes it’s having the courage to turn off the distractions of the day and allowing yourself a few moments to connect in with who you are and how you are truly feeling. This really can take courage as sometimes we don’t want to allow ourselves to feel and acknowledge how we’re truly feeling. Our true thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming and upsetting, but if we allow ourselves that time of honesty, with kindness and without judging ourselves, then we can often process those thoughts and feelings and then let them go, leaving a space for peace to flow.

How?

• Consider lighting a candle, playing some quiet calming music and sit quietly for a while, simply breathing in and out. Gaze at the candle and simply notice your thoughts and your feelings and allow yourself to feel. You may become emotional about your feelings and that’s ok. If you need to cry, then cry! If you feel angry, then acknowledge that and then ask yourself some questions. Why do I feel angry? Then allow yourself to answer. Acknowledge how you’re feeling and then ask yourself what you can do about how you’re feeling right now. It’s in asking questions that our subconscious will give us answers from and for our highest good. Asking better questions will bring better outcomes. If you simply tell yourself how bad you’re feeling then you’re subconscious will remain quiet, allowing you to continue. So learn to ask yourself better questions!
• Prayer is an incredibly personal and powerful way to process how you’re feeling and thinking. Very similar to the above, you simply talk about how you’re feeling and once you have talked then you can sit in the presence of a love far greater than is fathomable. Sometimes we may not feel this love, but it is ALWAYS there, so it’s important to have faith in a higher power that knows everything about you and loves you.
• EFT Tapping. Emotional Freedom Technique is another incredible way of processing how you’re thinking and feeling. I’ll talk more about this next week, but for now, go back to the first point and as you ask yourself questions and acknowledge how you’re feeling, with kindness and without judgement, tap on your collar bone as you speak, using 2 or 3 fingers together. Breathing in and out gently tapping across your collar bone. This tapping motion sends a signal through the neuroreceptors to the Amygdala that you are not under threat and are safe, and you will find yourself becoming calm and peaceful.

Be brave this week and mindfully allow yourself to sit with how you’re truly feeling and hold a space of kindness for yourself.

Lots of love and blessings, Sam ☺