Mindfulness: How to Live in the Moment
Many of us live life on a jam-packed schedule with little time to focus much on what we are doing when we do it. It is easy to read an email during dinner or constantly check in with the babysitter when you are out with your friends. It is important to remember that living in the moment and being fully absorbed in what you are doing is okay, more than that, being present is the only way to live life to the fullest.
In article for Readers Digest, Leo Babauta states, “By being mindful, you enjoy your food more, you enjoy friends and family more, you enjoy anything you’re doing more. Anything. Even things you might think are drudgery or boring, such as housework, can be amazing if you are truly present. Try it — wash dishes or sweep or cook, and remain fully present. It takes practice, but it’s incredible.”
In his article, Leo gives 10 steps to being mindful:
- Do one thing at a time
- Do it slowly and deliberately
- Do less
- Put space between things
- Spend at least 5 minutes a day doing nothing
- Stop worrying about the future- focus on the present
- When you are talking to someone, be present
- Eat slowly and savor your food
- Live slowly and savor your life
- Make cleaning and cooking become meditation
Read more: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/10-steps-to-mindfulness/#ixzz3UIu455mp
While this list might seem unfathomable to most because we are so busy, all of the time, it is an important list of things to try to incorporate into our lives. Make the most of each experience by fully being in that experience when it is happening. If you are out with your girlfriends (such as tomorrow night at our Girls Night Out event at the spa!), leave your phone in your purse and emerge yourself in the people you may not get to see that often. If you are practicing a hobby, make sure you have the time and space to give it your full attention without interruptions. It will make the experience so much more meaningful if you can fully give yourself to it.
This article demonstrates the importance of being mindful in our work, in our play and in our relaxation. Being mindful helps you slow down and see things for what they are and experience life more fully.
Moving forward in life, let us practice being more mindful. Yes, even while we are doing the dishes.