MINDFULNESS - A tool that helps

What is it?

Mindfulness is a meditation where we are fully aware of the present moment without judgement. It is used in many spiritual practices and in the medical world to help people deal with stress, pain and illness. It is considered an insight medication as it brings full attention to the body and mind in the present moment without altering the experience. Mindfullness was founded by John Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. and is now widely known.

Purpose of Mindfulness

The purpose is to see the ever-changing nature of our mind and the difficulties produced by our self-limiting definition of who we think we are. It helps us relinquish our secondary and hidden agendas and accept ourselves, situations, and others as they are. Mindfulness gives us insight into our habitual ways of thinking and can help us understand the source of our stress and find a path to balance, peace, and a greater freedom.

Try this 5 minute exercise

Take 5 minutes, you can set a timer.

Sit in a comfortable chair in an alert position.

Close your eyes (optional) and sit in an environment with limited distractions.

Focus on your breath and how your body feels during this time.

Take note of your mind’s activity, the thoughts and stories in your mind, then come back to your breath and body sensations.

Continue this for 5 minutes and when your session is done open your eyes.

Take note or journal your experience and repeat daily.

Mindfulness Resources

‘Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Workbook’ by Bob Stahl Ph.D. and Elisha Goldstein.

Awareness and Relaxation Training - Bob Stahl, Ph.D. (mindfulnessprograms.com)

Mindfulness Meditations for Anxiety: 100... book by Michael Smith PhD (thriftbooks.com)

Found on Amazon or Thrift books.

‘Wild Chicken and Petty Tyrants’ by Arnie Kozak PhD. Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants: 108 Metaphors for Mindfulness: Arnie Kozak: 9780861715763: Amazon.com: Books

Letting Go - A must when dealing with a loved one's addiction

The Poem

To let go does not mean to stop caring, it means I can’t do it for someone else.

To let go is not to cut myself off, it’s realizing I can’t control another.
It's to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands,
It's not to try to change or blame another, it’s to make the most of myself,
It's not to “care for” but to “care about.”
It's not to judge, but to allow another to be human,
It's not to deny but to accept.

It' s not to regret the past, but to live for the future.

Become the best version of yourself!