Mindfulness
There was a day last week, as I was getting ready for the day, that I couldn’t truly remember much of anything that I had done that morning. I was in the midst of putting lotion on my feet (something that I like to do for myself each and every day), when I realized that I didn’t know for sure whether or not I took a shower, brushed my teeth or anything. I mean I knew I had to have taken a shower because my hair was damp, I smelled clean, my teeth were clean, I had clean clothes on, so I knew that I was doing something right. I just couldn’t remember doing any of it.
That was when I realized that I had been focusing on what I needed to do before I went to work that day. I was thinking of all the things on my TO DO list and I wasn’t present to anything that I was actually doing in that moment.
To be mindful means to be attentive, aware or careful. Because I had not been attentive or even aware of what I was doing or had actually done that morning, I wasn’t mindful at all. My mind was focused elsewhere during my whole morning routine.
Now I am not saying that I am mindful and aware and attentive to everything that I am doing each and every moment, but I, at least, feel that I am mindful for quite a few things.
I know that when I have a client on my massage table, I am very mindful and present to what is going on with them. I watch for changes in their breathing, for redness on their skin, for heat that is radiating off a particular area and/or for any emotions that may be surfacing as I am working. My attention, my awareness is totally focused on them.
How mindful are you? Are you present, attentive and aware of what you are doing during the day? Or are you on autopilot like I was when I couldn’t remember anything about my morning routine? I am not saying that you have to pay attention to everything that you are doing (except probably when you are driving down the street or maybe if you are doctor performing surgery), but try to focus on the things that you are doing. Be present in that very moment. It is simple, but it isn’t easy. Especially if you are doing mundane day to day things, like brushing your teeth or doing the dishes.
One thing that helps you become present is to focus on your breathing. By focusing on your breathing–the in-breathe and hold it for a few seconds and then the out-breathe, your mind is focused on that and not something else.
Try this for a few days and see how it works out for you. Again, it sounds simple; however it isn’t easy.