If there is an invariable across any socioeconomic factors (besides our mortality) it’s our ability to work on our mindfulness. There are no barriers to entry…no one needs a degree, a coach, special apparel, or a membership to a club to do the work. It’s just a choice that’s made.
Comparable to how eating healthy nourishes our physical body; monitoring our thoughts, feelings, and emotions fuels the strength of our consciousness. And working on our consciousness makes us more aware of not just the present moment but also how our behaviors, moods, and reactions can unintentionally be hurtful and destructive to others and ourselves.
What is the difference? Here are some examples of how mindfulness wakes us up:
Scenario #1
Unconscious:
Your self-talk is saying, I’ve been trying for a month to fit in three workouts a week and it’s never going to happen for me. This was a stupid resolution to make.
Conscious:
You reframe your circumstances as, Even two workouts a week is better than none. It’s not my fault that my job is very demanding right now. I’m doing the best that I can.
Scenario #2
Unconscious:
You’re ruminating on your parents being strict and controlling as you grew up and you practically hit another passerby and don’t notice.
Conscious:
You realize you’re fixated on the past and switch your focus to noticing your surroundings, thereby dodging the close brush with another person.
Scenario #3
Unconscious:
You’ve had an exceptionally bad day and as soon as you get home, you lash out in a wrath of annoyance with everyone that you live with.
Conscious:
Yes, your bad day was a lot but you realize you’re in a particular mood, and you spend some time alone to decompress first and let your agitation calm down.
Mindfulness gives us prosperity because it frees us from the heightened reactions that lead to confrontations, fighting, dramatic impulses, and that harsh inner critic’s voice.
It lends itself in a number of ways to being kinder in society, to our family and friends, and most importantly, to ourselves. This practice not only helps us to be resilient but it influences how we practice compassion, empathy, and ultimately self-love.
It’s an essential element to attaining peace, calm, and serenity and having more of that gives us an overall better quality of life.
Are you interested in learning how to practice mindfulness? I really love this article from Very Well Mind. You don’t have to sit in meditation for long periods of time. It’s quick and can be done almost anywhere at anytime.