When we're not being mindful, life moves by in the blink of an eye. Tendencies to overstuff our schedules, to stay plugged in as slaves to technology all hours of the day, and to constantly strive for more can and will rob us of our precious presence. We've glorified busy and achievement. It's our culture. And, as a result, people, overall, actually feel less happy and connected than ever. (Just look at stats on depression, anxiety, and stress-related illnesses. Now that's depressing!)
Don't get me wrong. It's amazing that we can communicate and do business with people all over the world without ever having to leave our house (or even get dressed up in something fancier than yoga pants). But, in many ways, we're actually less connected than ever: to ourselves, to our friends and family, to our purpose, to this moment. Instead, we get pulled into an endless sea of information and into the busy cycle of constantly do-ing. Whatever happened to be-ing? How about that sweetness of actually LIVING fully in the moment?
When we don't take time to pause, savor, and reflect, it's a recipe for disconnect and anxiety. Our mind, body, and soul absolutely crave moments of stillness to recharge and reflect. To just be. It keeps us human. It keeps us sane.
While the world is not going to slow down for any of us, we get to choose at what level we decide to participate in the chaos. By cultivating mindfulness in our everyday lives, we become more in tune with our true selves, more connected to one another, and more able to find true peace and balance while making our mark in the world.
Here are 21 subtle shifts that you can easily implement right away and they will help you to live your life NOW!
- Start your day with moments of zen. Spend 10 minutes in stillness each morning, while your head is still groggy from sleep, and before getting on with your crazy day. Those precious moments will help you connect to a more grounded, focused, and intentional you, which will stay with you all day long. And if you hear yourself saying, "I don't have 10 minutes," then you need this time more than most! Do it in the evening, if you have to. Just find a time you can commit to. It's called a meditation practice for a reason: the more you do, the more benefits you will reap.
easier to be content and happy living in the present.
By regularly adopting some of these practices that resonate with you (or all of them, if you're an overachiever), you will find yourself becoming more in tune with your true self. You might just learn to more easily go with the flow, let go of the past, and quit worrying about the future. As a result, you may experience more peace and happiness while being more productive and having deeper and more meaningful relationships. Sound too good to be true? Try it for yourself. Mindfulness is where it's at. Enjoy this moment!
Dawn Gluskin is author of forthcoming Type-A Zen. Subscribe here to receive notifications when the book is launched in fall of 2015!! For more inspiration, follow on Facebook & Instagram.