Stepping along the road of mindfulness

 I have been considering the use of the word 'journey'. It's one that is often used in reality programmes where contestants describe their journey and how much they learned from it and so on.

A journey can be descibed as a method of getting from one place to another when used as a noun.

The word journey used as a verb has a slightly different meaning- to travel somewhere.

I'm using the word journey quite metaphorically in this blog- I don't see mindfulness as something that can be boxed up into a neat beginning , middle and end where the end point is some kind of enlightenment that will result in an existence where  all is shimmery and perfect. I use the word journey to illustrate my growing interest, practices and learning about mindfulness as teacher and learner and that I see this journey as a continuum rather than discrete.

I daresay that I will look back through these posts and have further thoughts around this; and that in itself illustrates that there should be no limits to the definitions of mindfulness. I shall finish for now with a return to the importance of love and kindness.  At the end of the day, having intentions with love and kindness at the forefront is what really matters . I will keep striving to find words to convey this. All part of this journey of curious discovery.

©akhalford 2024

Discovering there's more than I realised to mindfulness

 'Mindfulness? That's just colouring and switching off your mind isn't it?'

'Like counselling but without any actual science or research-based practise isn't it?'

'Bit modern and really not my thing at all.'

A few things that I have heard. 

It's hard to sum up mindfulness in a way that doesn't diminish it. Yes it is about being present, yes it is about being tuned into feelings. Yes to being empathetic, kind and listening. Yes to being non-judgemental.

All these and so much more.  Being kind, showing empathy, being authentic being curious, appreciating life, self, others. Being kind.  These are some of the underpinning aspects. 

Being kind to oneself, showing self-compassion. Bit of a game changer in many ways. SO easy to blame oneself, berate oneself, criticise oneself.  

It's ok to big yourself up- to take a look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are going to have a fab day, and when the day doesn't go so well say that you gave it a good go.

So much more than 'put on a brave face' , 'chin-up' and other often less than helpful phrases.

Acknowledgement goes a lot lot further. Today has been pretty shocking. I am not feeling great about it. I could just not bother tomorrow. All these are totally valid thoughts. Naming, recognising and noticing them. Taking time to process, talk them through or go for a walk, listen to music, make a noise, sing, go for a run.  We all have different ways to redirect energy. 

It's not about parking thoughts, ignoring them or forgetting the past. It's about riding it out. 

I love the film 'Parenthood' and especially this gem from the Grandma:

Grandma's thoughts on life

Ups and downs, highs and lows, happy and sad. All part of life. But I know which parts  I want to focus on.