Put Your Mind Into It – What is Mindfulness?

Imagine I tell you, as you leave this room, to be mindful of the couch. What does that mean? Does it make you wonder about its placement, price tag, or how comfortable it looks?

This instruction to pay attention to the couch is actually an example of mindfulness. It’s not just about passively experiencing the world around you, but actively focusing your attention. Just like I had to say something like “be mindful of the couch” to get your attention to focus on it, that’s what we can practice in our daily lives. We’re trying to be more mindful of our lives, not on autopilot.

Mindful living is about being present in the moment. It’s noticing the details around you, from a potentially troublesome obstacle (like a misplaced couch) to a beautifully designed piece you might otherwise overlook. But more importantly, it’s about being aware of your own thoughts and feelings, without judgment.

To cultivate mindfulness, we can do things like slow down when we’re eating and savor each bite, take a break at our desk to close our eyes and follow our breath for a minute, we can look around more than usual on a walk in the park.

Mindfulness is not a punishment. It’s a practice of intentional observation. When we practice being mindful, we broaden our perspective, reduce stress, and improve focus.  We become more aware of both the physical world and our own internal world. This allows us to respond to situations thoughtfully, rather than simply react based on autopilot.

ACTION:

Pick something you do every day, like brushing your teeth or making coffee.  Do it with mindful awareness. Notice the physical sensations – the water temperature, the texture of the bristles. Does the same mundane habit feel different with this awareness?