One of the reasons I keep a daily meditation practice is so I can be more mindful throughout my day. There are many ways we can be mindful. Having a formal practice helps build those muscles and our capacity to be present and focus our attention on the things we choose.
My dream for our 365 space is for TRIO/McNair students and staff all around the country to 'pop in' and share mindful moments throughout the week. Can you imagine how cool that would be? Together, we are becoming mindful and paying attention on purpose.
Because we spend a lot of time in ‘doing mode,’ it's sometimes hard to give ourselves space to simply BE. When we can slow down long enough to notice how we're feeling, what's happening around us, we can learn how to anchor ourselves and experience life in more fulfilling ways.
Try this out:
- put your phone in another room and take a seat
- relax your body by doing any movement that feels good, I like to do a few shoulder rolls
- take a few deep breaths
- breath in through your nose and let a big sigh out through your mouth
- soften your gaze and notice the space around you
- notice how you're feeling in your body in this moment
- you're not trying to change anything; let whatever there is just be
- as thoughts arise, just note them and let them go
- feel your breath coming into your body and going out
- use the breath to soften any points of tension you might be noticing now that you've settled in
- keep letting go as much as possible and see what it feels like to be in the present moment, without an agenda except to simply notice
The more we practice being present, the more it will become second nature. You'll more easily be able to drop in. You'll more easily be able to let go of things you can't control. You'll more easily find joy in small moments throughout your day.
I'm doing a special raffle this week!
Log into our 365 space to share a ‘mindful moment’ and get entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card.
Give yourself the gift of time and space. Check in. Ask yourself what you might need right now.
Rinse and repeat. ✨
