Taking a moment for mindfulness

DSC03217_NiagraFallsMindfulness can be practiced anytime and throughout the day.  So as a mindfulness practice exercise, you might like to take a moment to try this.  Focus all your attention on your breathing, for just one minute.  It’s just for one minute, but one minute can sometimes seem like an eternity.  Leave your eyes open and breathe normally.  When your attention wanders (and it will) be ready to catch your mind from the wandering.  Return your attention to your breath.

Just practice.  This is not a contest.  Not a personal challenge.  This is something to be experienced.  To begin the experience to complete a single minute of alert, clear attention.  This can take some people many years of practice.

Using this exercise is a great way to restore your mind to the present moment and to restore your mind to clarity and peace, and can be practiced many times throughout the day.  Over time, you may want to gradually extend the duration of this exercise, lengthening period of time of focusing your attention on your breathing to experience alert, clear attention and exercise the foundation of a correct mindfulness meditation technique.

Some use a mindfulness bell to focus attention on, instead of breathe. A mindfulness bell or recording can also help you to focus your attention in the present moment and achieve a state of mental stillness.  For use with android and iphone devices I found some mindfulness bells on Google Play.

February Starting Anew

Wishing everyone a Happy February.  I’m in gratitude for such a beautiful day to begin a  new month, sunny and warm, more like spring than winter. It was even feeling like a splendid day to begin spending some time spring cleaning in the garden.  Looking for snowdrops and true signs of spring yet to be found. I took a wonderful walk with Sade (our Shitzu) today, and this afternoon I completed a round of physical therapy.  Starting anew is always refreshing.  Setting new goals.  I’m working on the content for a writing class I’ll be offering later this month.  What is one of your goals in February? I’d love to hear you share.