Allow yourself to FEEL your life…
Even for those who meditate regularly, being in the present and having that inner peace of mind can still be a challenge. If you’re used to a hectic and tightly scheduled lifestyle, meditation will even be more of a struggle. What you don’t realize is that meditation doesn’t always have to mean sitting in a corner and watching your breath.
In light of the holiday season, what you need to do is refocus your priorities in life, and realize that your attitude towards life shouldn’t be so narrow that all you ever do is work towards upscaling your lifestyle. Your desired lifestyle shouldn’t be defined by your worldly possessions—the car you have, the apartment you have, and the gadgets you’ve bought.
It’s about time you take a step back and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. If being still isn’t for you, you will be surprised to know that there are other forms of meditation. You can even meditate by taking up an activity, like baking or exercising. Even your daily routine can incorporate the teachings and principles of mindfulness in it.
Observe, and stop thinking. Just be in the moment, take everything around you in, and be receptive to your surroundings. This especially holds true when you are doing something for the first time.
Breathe. In the middle of a stressful activity, we often forget to do one crucial thing: breathe. Sometimes, when the going gets a little too tough, all you need to do is take a step back and just breathe.
Make use of your senses. Mindfulness is also about using all your senses to truly be in the moment. Pay attention to what the things around you look like—the wonderful and vivid contrast of colours and the beauty of your surroundings. Don’t stop there: use your sense of smell, your hearing, and, if possible, your taste. Finally, be aware of the sensations coursing through your body.
Resolve nagging thoughts. The worst you can do to yourself is shoo these thoughts away. Find a way to confront and face them head on. There’s no single strategy to resolve these nagging thoughts. Choose a single best way from the multitude of strategies for you’ve previously used to resolve your problems.
Accept things for what they are. Don’t rationalize, or stretch your reasoning. Don’t even try to overthink things. There’s a value in being in the present moment, and if you’re mindful enough, you know that all you have to do is take the moments as they come.
