Mindfulness

Hibernate: to spend winter in a dormant state.
(Of a person) To remain inactive or indoors for an extended period.

Resonate with anyone? Yes, me! But what a great time for reflection and contemplation. Whatever burdens I was carrying were forgotten whilst I sat back in my squashy chair and basked in the warmth of the radiator, listening to the rain splattering against the window panes. This is a perfect time to let yourself feel the freedom of just being.

This week I have been practicing “mindfulness” or living in the moment, active intentional attention on the present. We are observers of our thoughts. Winter is a great time to do this (although it can be done any time if you are focussed).

What can I see right now? Raindrops forming streams and racing each other down the window panes. Clouds drifting past slowly in the blue sky, which gradually turns grey as the day gets older.

What can I hear right now? The repetitive tick-tock of the clock on my desk like a heart beat and gusts of wind battering against the walls outside.

It feels great to be in the present moment!

Life unfolds in the present. But so often, we let the present slip away, allowing time to rush past unobserved and unseized, wasting precious moments as we worry about the future and dwell on intrusive memories. When we’re at work, we fantasize about being on holiday; we worry about the work and emails piling up. We don’t appreciate the living present because our minds vault from thought to thought like monkeys swinging from tree to tree.

Bring attention to your breathing to anchor your attention.  Awareness of the breath brings us into the present moment and prevents unwanted distractions.