Hola Amigos,
How are you Everyone?
Going along with the season and the end of the year?
Today, I wanted to reflect on gratitude and mindfulness.
I don’t know about you, but I found that during these last few years gratitude and mindfulness are on arisen, especially since the Covid. Some sort of awareness and consciousness upgrade in our human history, a way to draw our intention on the “feel good”, appreciate life in general, and “what do we want out of our life?”
Big questions for some time, small answers 😊
What I mean by this is taking small steps from within can accomplish another level of awareness and hope for our lives. For example, during the mindfulness module that I am taking this year, we learned so far, a few technics for breathing and meditation. This is something that could be new for some people but once you start and practice it, you can feel an amazing feeling of freedom. Of course, you could argue this is not for everybody but actually, it is! It is a mindset. However, it does take practice when you never did or be aware of it. Like things in life that we are not used to doing or things that are out of our comfort zone.
STOP
Let me offer you one technique for now and let me know how it made you feel.
- A secular technic called STOP, also known as Langerian named after her founder, Ellen Langer. This technic is a process of paying attention or being aware of the present moment and of novelty in experiences and situations (Health and Quality of Life Outcome, 2018).
- Stop. Whatever you’re doing, just pause momentarily.
- Take a breath. Re-connect with your breath. The breath is an anchor to the present moment.
- Observe. Notice what is happening. What is happening inside you, and outside of you?
- Proceed. Continue doing what you were doing.
Take 10min or longer if you can and sit in a quiet place/room whether at work or at home. You can close or keep your eyes open. The goal is to slow down the body and the mind. Your heartbeat should also follow.
This technique is quite “timely affordable” because it does not necessitate a large amount of time and it is quite practical at work during a busy day to wind down a bit.
So, earlier in the blog I mentioned gratefulness which is a form of mindfulness and gratitude for ourselves because it builds up a mindset of positivity. To look at what we have in our lives and be appreciative. For example, to have loved ones, good friends, pets, and even down our basic needs such as food, heat, and water. What about healing after 2 weeks of flu or other illness? Having a bad ankle or broken arm, how do you appreciate your mobility after this once it healed? Personally, I am very grateful when I retrieve my inner energy after a period of illness 😊 – What about you?
I could get on for “pages” and “hours” but on these notes, let me wish you a great end of November and beginning of December.
Wish you Peace and Happiness
Cecile
