Every two weeks of this endeavor, the creators give us a new "Lifestyle Challenge"as a way to focus on other aspects of our life than just exercise and nutrition. It is also an opportunity to earn some bonus points for those times when we feel we must have that bowl of frosting or skip a workout. The beginning of Week 5 of the Spring 2013 Whole Life Challenge leaves participants looking for ways to be mindful. Today is the first day of that challenge, and even though I have only used 2 of my earned bonus points thus far, it is my mini-goal these next two weeks to get my points for being mindful every day.
What are they actually asking us to do, you ask? We must be mindful 10 minutes each day. Jon Kabat-Zinn's (famous teacher of mindfulness meditation) definition is that "[M]indfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally." (wildmind.org) Translated, I take that to mean that whatever it is I am doing, I am consciously paying attention to it with my whole mind. If my mind starts to wander, I know this and bring it back to what I was initially being mindful about.
When this lifestyle challenge was first issued, I immediately thought I would have to meditate every day. Heck, I can do that. Today is here, and I am not feeling like I can do that. Like I tend to say, "It's simple, not easy."
In a previous post, I introduced you to my meditation mat and pillow. Well, they are still in the basement living room wondering where I am, except for those times when they see me on road bike watching television in the winter. Now I wonder, "Do I have to do meditation to be mindful?" The instructions are simply to be mindful of one thing you are doing for 10 minutes every day. Some people have chosen to write in a journal and others have chosen to eat mindfully. It seems I just have to do ONE thing for 10 minutes while only thinking of that one thing. Easy?
As I write this, Frank (my dog) is laying (snoring) across my lap as close to my torso as he can get, while I extend my arms out fully to type on my computer precariously placed upon my knees. He's doing this because I have been busy today running around and "getting things done" and haven't paid much attention to him. When I did have a few spare moments, I sat on the ottoman in front of the love seat where he was lounging and MINDLESSLY petted him while I watched out the window for my friend to arrive or put my makeup on. Frank is very good at letting me know that he knows I am not giving him my undivided attention. In fact, the clicking of the laptop keys has roused him from his slumber and he is beginning to nose at my hands.
Frank understands that being mindful is not only important for me, so that I can truly live in the moment and stop worrying about the future or fretting over the past, it is also important for those around me. Those people who need my undivided attention, so that they know how much I appreciate and love them and wouldn't want to be on this planet without them. This one is for all of you. You have all been in my mind as I write this. I can see your beautiful smiles and hear your calming voices. I am mindful of you.
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