Mindful musings...

Some time ago now, I embarked on a Mindfulness course which has been the culmination of a number of years of reflecting on my own personal journey. Like many of you, life has not been without it's fair share of difficulties, and with the benefit of hindsight, I feel grateful for having the opportunity to learn from life's lessons. For myself, learning the skills of mindfulness and meditation were a lifeline through much needed times, but of course, we don't need a tragedy or traumatic event to push us into a new awareness - simply the desire to learn about ourselves so we can live a truly fulfilling and joyful life.

We spend much of our time and energies on our health and physical aspects of our bodies, and yet the one element that plays the most crucial role in us living a happy life - our minds - is neglected.

Every thought we think creates our reality and yet how many of us are truly aware of those thoughts that flow through our consciousness daily? Mindfulness is being present in the moment - not thinking about tomorrow or yesterday, but enjoying each delicious moment as it arises. It is the opposite of the incessant stream of thoughts or the automatic pilot we so easily slip into. It is being awake, focused on the now. Why you may ask would this make such a significant impact on my life? It is truly empowering to be in control of your own wellbeing and to know that you have the choice to respond rather than react, to habitual thought patterns.

Extensive research has been carried out on the affects of a continued practice of mindfulness and meditation, where brain imaging scans show significant changes to those parts of the brain used for memory, attention, emotional regulation and empathy for others. Participants in the studies have shown to have reduced stress levels, better relationships and over all, greater happiness! For myself, mindfulness has helped me become an observer of my fears and limiting beliefs (after all, a belief is simply a thought we keep thinking....change your thoughts and you change your reality!) I feel I have the tools to step out of preoccupation with self, and away from that critical self judging voice. Mindfulness however, can mean different things to different people, be it managing pain or overcoming loneliness. Developing this mental muscle is a life skill I have felt passionate about and am eager to share with those whose aspiration is to live consciously and more aware. The practices are simple and very easy to assimilate into daily life - the only prerequisite being the motivation to make these small but life transformative changes.

So why not try one simple but powerful practice today, called Mindful Immersion? Rather than anxiously wanting to finish an everyday routine task in order to get on with something else, take that routine task and fully experience it like never before! Examples could be: cleaning your house, washing the dishes, making your cup of tea, brushing your teeth...the idea is to get creative and discover new experiences in an otherwise regular routine. Use all your senses to fully immerse yourself in the moment, and you may just find that in the escape of endless striving, contentment and a new outlook on life begin to flow.

Wishing you peace and happiness on your mindful journey x