As I was getting ready for the Mindfulness challenge, pulling together material for the Mindfulness ebook, this quote really stood out to me. I thought it would be helpful to share it with you, along with a few thoughts on what mindfulness is and how this campaign can {hopefully} help you become more mindful.
What is mindfulness?
It is simply being aware of the present moment, without judgements, without attachment to our thoughts, to the past or the future. It’s about being present.
Thoughts and feelings will continue to arise – that’s part of the human condition. But being aware that these thoughts and judgements do not define you, letting them arise and flow away and remaining centered in the present moment, is mindfulness.
How can you practice mindfulness?
By reminding yourself to focus on the present. Breathe. Look around you. Experience the sights, smells, sensations in the present moment.
Look up at the sky. Revel in its vastness.
Look down at your toes. Wriggle them, be aware of the feeling of your toes wriggling.
Look around you. Notice the environment, how you are feeling in the present moment, observe what is around you, be fully present, NOW.
How does an Instagram challenge help?
It reminds you to focus on the present. To breathe. It’s not about capturing the prettiest image or staging a beautiful shot {although you can certainly do that – mindfully}. It’s about giving yourself the time and mind space to mindfully record the moments, the sights, the awe that you want to cherish.
Are you in?
I’ll see you on Instagram starting Monday!
Tag your photos with #TheMindfulBreak and follow the hashtag to see what the others are posting. Like, comment, maybe find new people you’d like to follow on Instagram. Have fun!
Optional extras
Add your blog to the linky list on the main challenge page to see who else is participating. This is simply a way to help us connect with fellow bloggers who are are taking part in the challenge.
Sign up for my monthly letter – Gypsy Wanderings – if you want the free Mindful Break ebook. I’ll send it out with the November issue!
Let’s have some fun!
I am so going to try and participate. Been on a mindfulness journey myself, not very successfully though. I hope this will change from Monday.
I hope it does! And I will look forward to seeing your Instagram posts! 🙂
Very interesting challenge…would love to join in! I think that mindfulness can relieve a lot of our stresses and regularly practising it will dramatically alter our lives for the better. Here is a link to my post on the close connection between mindfulness and creativity: https://blogsbyesha.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/from-mindfulness-to-creativity/#more-1235
Awesome! I’ll look forward to seeing your posts on Instagram. Do put your blog link in the linky too. And thanks for leaving a link to your post on mindfulness and creativity. Both topics are very close to my heart. I’ll hop over in the evening to read. 🙂
We live mostly in the past or the vivid dreams of future and rarely in the present .. I like your idea of mindfulness..we need to learn to live in the NOW… would like to join in .. 🙂
Awesome! This will be fun!! 🙂
I loved the quote! Sums up mindfulness so beautifully! Looking forward to your posts throughout the challenge.
Doesn’t it? Do join in too, on Instagram! I’d love to see your photos as well. 🙂
I love the quote. And I have signed up. I think that is something that I need right now very badly and will hopefully stick to the challenge.
Let’s rock it I say. ?❤
Yay! Absolutely – let’s rock it!!
This sounds very interesting and let me see how far I can go in this challenge. Wish me luck
I’m sure you’ll do amazingly well! 🙂
Live in the present !!
& thus the #AwkwardEarthling would be posting too :))
Awesome!! :))
🙂