How to Practice Mindfulness - Daily

Photo by Emily Barber on Unsplash

Mindfulness, unlike most other pursuits, does not require more of us, but less.

Do the normal things - cleaning, exercising, and working - but give your heart to what is called emptiness, the divine, the universe or God. This takes effort - to still the constant internal noise - but the effort is well worth any difficulty that arises from it. Such a pursuit is not selfish or antisocial because natural love and affection wells in the heart of the one who intentionally practices mindfulness. This warmth will be felt by every person in your life.

Mindfulness is the practice of constantly observing, reflecting on, and directing your thoughts. Being mindful means intentionally overriding your automatic thoughts with thoughts of positivity and love. Mindfulness allows you to take responsibility for your experience of life, to be aware of how you affect others, and to use your time and energy to become the best version of yourself.

Being mindful means slowing down to think before you speak. It means taking a moment to ask yourself why you are feeling something and how you should respond. It allows you to be less reactive, anxious, and defensive so that you can live more compassionately. Because our culture trains us to prioritize thinking and talking quickly and efficiently, most people struggle with mindfulness.

Mindfulness allows you to see how your thoughts become the energy that creates your life. When you become aware of your thoughts and typical thought patterns, only then do you hold power over them. Being mindful allows you to develop self-love and self-respect, to move beyond judgement to compassionate, understanding, and empathy. Mindfulness allows you to see windows where others see walls.

This morning, as you rise to the light of a new day, let go of anything that might have you preoccupied, whether that might be a specific worry or a physical pain or ailment. Breathe into the pain and worry and picture the troublesome knots of problems becoming looser. Allow your thoughts to become light and easy and have the attitude that all trouble will be resolved as you hold gracefully to inner peace.