On a day to day basis we mostly live our lives the same way we lived yesterday.
This pattern is termed habit or conditioned response. Deepak Chopra illustrates this point by saying that we each think about 50,000 thoughts per day, and this is the important piece: they are the same thoughts we thought yesterday.
That’s something to consider.
Our ability to change direction, to respond differently is limited to the degree to which we are conscious of our behavior.
About your day: its likely moving at a fast pace, given over to efficiency, productivity, competition, striving, outward movement, linear thinking, analysis. These characteristics, held in high regard, will certainly get you ahead, keep you abreast, and at some point, will burn you out.
The world seems to be moving at a more rapid rate, its true. What about balance? Taking time to be mindful, to be present to a moment to moment awareness creates spaciousness in an activity-driven life. With practice, it tends to calm the mind and soothe the heart.
Mindfulness creates a pause during the day. It is at the other end of the spectrum of activity, it’s about being.
Being…who has time for that? You do. It’s a matter of choice.
Mindfulness offers another critical benefit, and that is the opportunity to allow creativity, new ideas and behaviors to emerge. In the act of being present in this moment, inspiration bubbles up. In the mental quiet, clarity arises and we can view things with fresh eyes.
This is the process that changes habits and conditioned responses.
Its spring in the Midwest, the air is juicy with the scent of flowering trees. The eye is delighted by a greening landscape. Nature is awakening. Have you noticed? Are you walking slower, are you enjoying the sights and smells of spring?
Mindfulness can be that simple. Its a start. Step lightly, slowly, and pay attention to this moment. What a beautiful time of year to slow your pace and be present. You don’t have time? Take time. Take 10 minutes and consciously breathe. With awareness, take a walk, feel your feet upon the earth, feel the breeze as you continue to move forward. Can you hear the birdsong? Its there, if you listen. When the mind digresses to its familiar planning the future or memories of the past, can you gently bring it back to this moment? Bring your attention back to this step, this sound, this place in time.
This is an exercise in Mindfulness.
down the lane
