”Don’t wish things to be any different. They are exactly as they should be.”

 

You don’t have to meditate in order to become more mindful (although it might help) However, there’re several ways by which you can invite stillness, and thereby welcome a more conscious awareness into your daily life.

James Baraz puts it very nicely:

”Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).”

Below you’ll find five ways that help me breathe a bit slower. What’s your way?

walk in nature

”trust the seasons changing, trust your inner voice. it knows.”

There’s a special thing being one with nature, whether it’s watching the ocean, smelling the forest, hiking in the autumn mountains, taking a midnight swim or laughing up in the air. Nature has a tendency to teach us plenty; she teaches us how to be still, how to unwind and relax. Stay alert and witness the beauty she so effortlessly provides us. Let her guide you home.

be kind to your mind

Have you ever stopped to notice that voice within? What does it tell you? Does it feed you fear? Love? Anxiety? Since you have around 60.000-80.000 thoughts a day it might be a good idea to pay attention to how you talk to yourself. If you notice you don’t like the way you communicate to yourself – change your thoughts. The power is all yours. You don’t have to listen to that bullshit. Speak with confidence, love and compassion. However, the idea is not to obsess about it – thoughts will come, and they will go. The thing is, you don’t have to pay too much attention to them. Don’t judge every thought running through your head. Cause in the end, they are simply thoughts.

don’t hate, meditate

It’s not the minutes that count; it’s what you take with you after you’ve been sitting in silence – patience, alertness and a greater awareness. Meditation is not sitting with no thought – it’s letting the thoughts pass by, no dwelling, simply being aware. It’s the perfect way to practise slow breathing. Going within, and trusting oneself.

eat mindfully

Taste your food. Smell it. With every bite, be there. When you eat, you eat. You don’t scroll through social media, watch television, sit infront of your computer or talk with your friends on the phone. You eat, and with every delicious bite, you’re there. It’s the same when you’re preparing food; cooking is actually a perfect way to unwind. Some chill music in the background, a glass of red wine, good company – and you just created the most perfect recipe for ultimate relaxation.

find your happy

Whatever floats your boat – dive right in. When you’re enjoying what you’re doing you easily reach that so called flow state. A state of being when time passes by without you even noticing. A state of being when you’re your most creative self. A state of being when you’re guided by your inner voice. A state of being that can only be described by the words pure bliss. Find your happy, and do it often.

 

❤

Linda