Get the Crap Out !
In today’s world, we encounter more and more stress due to various professional and personal reasons and whatever is happening around us on this earth like this pandemic. Life is always going to be full of things and it will keep us busy in the daily chores and work. In such situations, it is very important that everyone should balance their life with some exercises and de-stressing activities. Mindfulness and Gratitude are two important things which everyone should adapt and work on. Practising mindfulness and expressing gratitude is something I recommend everyone to go for and reap rich dividends.
Mindfulness as per the dictionary is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique. It’s the quality or state of being conscious of something.
Mindfulness for better understanding is meditation where you practice by bringing your attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgement. For Indians it has been an age-old tradition where we have seen the sages and Gods practising this and we widely believe in meditation. In Buddhist traditions too, it is practised widely and is based on their theories of Sati, Zen and Vipassana. https://tricycle.org/beginners/buddhism/what-is-vipassana/
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us-easier said than done. This comes with continuous practice. The beauty of mindfulness is that it can be done while sitting, walking, standing or moving.
“Chasing after the world brings chaos. Allowing it all to come to me, brings peace.” — Zen Gatha
Being Mindful not only helps us to reduce our stress levels, enhance performance, gaining insight but also helps us in awareness through observing our own mind and increasing our attention to other’s well-being.
Refer Vasudhev Kutumbamkam
It helps us remain calm and compose for a better decision. The beauty is you can do this anywhere, anytime. A few minutes of meditation during a day will not only help you live a better life but will fill you with loads of positivity, calmness, self-awareness & make you content as well as cultivate mindfulness.
“Mindfulness isn’t difficult. We just need to remember to do it.” — Sharon Salzberg
Practicing Gratitude helps individuals and has incredible effects. So, the next step is to explore ways you can be more appreciative in our mindful guide to gratitude. Gratitude is nothing but thanking and appreciating what you have. It is to re-emphasise all the good things which are in your life and happening to you day after day. This simple exercise helps your thought process and emotions to be super positive empowering you to overcome challenges easily.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”― Ralph Waldo Emerson
10 SIGNS YOU’RE DOING WELL IN LIFE. Tick each box.
1) You have a roof over your head.
2) You ate today.
3) You have a good heart.
4) You wish good for others.
5) You have clean water.
6) Someone cares for you.
7) You strive to be better.
8) You have clean clothes.
9) You have a dream.
10) You’re breathing.
BE THANKFUL FOR THE LITTLE THINGS.
A small example will help us understand better. A few years back, I had one of my relatives visiting us and she parked her car in the parking area. We were busy chatting and laughing in our living room. Suddenly after sometime, we heard a big noise outside (like a bang!). We rushed out. We found that a young boy who was learning to drive had banged the new car from the side and ran away. Both the doors of the car on one side had big dents and a lot of scratches. I was petrified and wanted to catch hold of this guy. To my utter surprise, my relative, the lady said” It’s good that I was not sitting in the car. Thank you, God. You saved me”. To me, this was an eye opener and a very different reaction.
Now, after so many years, I realise how correct she was !
So, practising gratitude with putting things in a Gratitude Book/Journal will help you a lot. Gratitude and Mindfulness goes hand in hand. Gratitude allows us to notice the many blessings we have and distracts us from the many misfortunes we face. Mindfulness helps us react to our misfortunes by grace, acceptance and meditation. Together when we practice these, it nurtures a happier self within us. Gratitude is central to happiness; mindfulness can help us cultivate it. Work on these for a wonderful wellbeing!
