MINDFULNESS
“We are capable of mindfulness. We are capable of
changing our thoughts and changing our brains.”
—Jill Bolte Taylor, Harvard neuroanatomist, author and speaker.
Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present moment. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings more consciously. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to all types of experiences.
Mindfulness is the essence of engagement.
When we are living in the present, in the moment, we are less likely to plague ourselves with fears about the future or regrets about the past. By paying attention to what’s happening around us instead of operating on autopilot, we can reduce stress, unlock creativity and improve our performance. We also become more alert to opportunities.
Henry Miller, American writer, said;
“The moment one gives close attention to
anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes
a mysterious, awesome, indescribably
magnificent world in itself.”
Mindfulness comes from Buddhism and is key to meditation in that tradition. Be mindful of your daily life—the people, the places, the reactions of your senses and the beauty that surrounds you. Take time to smell the flowers and the grass. Look up at the sky and marvel at the passing clouds. Lie in the sun and feel the warmth of its rays. Feel the wind, the snow and the rain. When you eat something, smell it, touch it and savor it. Look into the eyes of the people you meet. Shake their hands. Listen to what they say. Connect with them. Make an effort to remember their names. Be present in the moment.
Successful people operate on a different level than most people. They focus more intently.
Those who perform at the highest levels are
the most focused and the most mindful.
They develop and improve their minds and their ability to perform at a higher level. They read—some voraciously. They practice—some relentlessly. They exercise control over their conscious thoughts. And through their positive thoughts and activities, they are able influence and impact the development and nature of their unconscious thoughts and impulses. In sum, they mindfully use and develop their conscious and unconscious brains.
When we start to focus on positive thoughts,
we let go of our fears and anxieties. We become more joyful
and less stressed. We perform at a higher level.
You have the ability to control your thoughts and you need to use that ability. Learning to control your thoughts is an ongoing process that requires focus and effort. You won’t gain control over your thoughts immediately and your level of control will never be total or absolute but with effort, focus and mindfulness, greater control over your thoughts is absolutely possible.
You have the ability to develop and improve both your conscious and unconscious mind through reading, experience and practice and you have the ability to gain greater control over your thoughts through focus, meditation, positive affirmation, visualization and mindfulness.
