Okay, admit it, you’ve probably heard the big fat M-word (mindfulness) repeated ad nauseam and that it is the “secret sauce” to thriving in the new digital era, and amid the corona-apocalypse. Yeah, mindfulness. But what does it actually mean?
Well, first and foremost, we can understand mindfulness as being fully aware and conscious of the situation and moment at hand. That awareness extends into our breath, our body’s sensations, our feelings, thoughts and emotions those feelings and thoughts inspire — without trying to change, fix, or judge or worry about them. Easy, right?
Paridoxically, the challenge many people have is how to “get there”.
To be mindful do you have to live in a constant, effortless state of zen blissfulness? Do you have to meditate all day, wear crystals, and chant Sanskrit six times a day? Or can you just meditate for five minutes each day and watch your sweat pant-donning caterpillar self instantly transform into a beautiful butterfly?
The answer is none of the above. And if anyone tries to sell this to you, don’t walk, run in the other direction.
Here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be too hard or inaccessible. But there is one big secret that you must know if you want to create a sustainable mindfulness practice.
Consistency of your micro-choices
If you want to unleash the power of a mindful existence, you’ll need to start by abandoning the focus on altering “bad” choices or habits, and, instead, begin your journey of choosing positive and effective micro-choices. Consistently.
Last week we talked about our inclination toward autopilot behaviors (like checking our cellphones). When we cultivate a life of mindfulness, it allows us to shift away from mindlessness and become conscious of those micro-decisions. Likewise, being aware of those micro-decisions can help us become more mindful. Woah…. right?!
Now, with our world in slow-motion, we have rich possibility in the extra space. The road is open! We have a clean slate. That means you have choices, and the choices that you make NOW, will shape the direction you will be traveling in the future. I told you, this is no small feat. This is a commitment.
So, in effort to create a bit of levity and ease in our micro-decisions, I will challenge you to a 7-day game this week.
Your task is to complete a task in each of the boxes, as mindfully as possible — and over the course of the week, check off as many boxes as possible. Do you think you can check them all off?
If you can handle a little accountability, a great way to leverage it is to share your completed grid — or an image, or video representing you completing the task, with@mapsthejourney.
Let’s hold each other accountable because if this pandemic has taught us anything it’s that we thrive and survive when we have togetherness. So let’s unify around making positive micro-mindful choices and, perhaps, we will create a community of mindfulness in the process.
