Mindfulness

Today is all about being mindful! I love this topic because this is something I am always struggling with. To be mindful of me, my emotions my thoughts. I write a lot about personal development, spirituality, how we can get ourselves to the next level but I still struggle with allowing my past to creep up on me and take over sometimes. For the most part, I have it under control but the days when I am feeling extra vulnerable or I have more time to think, I notice my mind swaying back to my past and what I can change. In reality, I can't change my past but I am re-writing my future just how I want it!

To be mindful is to be in control of one's self. Now you may ask how can I possibly do that when outside circumstances seem to ruin it? Well, my friends, I'm here to answer that in my own unique way. I discuss the importance of letting go of things we can not control such as outside reality. We can't control if it rains or shines, or how other people respond to us, but we can control is ourselves. We can control how we respond to others, our energy, and our emotions as well as thoughts. Now in my personal experience, thoughts were the hardest battle to control.

 I would have a great day, I felt I had the world on my shoulders and then all of a sudden a negative thought would creep in. I used to allow myself to get entangled in that negative thought for hours, and eventually, it would ruin my mood, but now that I am more aware and conscious, I can notice my mind navigating in the negative direction and in that moment, decide to think about something positive or my future.

 I am a big visualizer when it comes to what I want my future to look like. I can day-dream all day about it! Visualizing how you want your future to look like is a great exercise when you are trying to be more mindful of your thoughts. If you're not quite there yet, it's okay but meditation is key, or just closing your eyes and allowing your dreams to come forth.

To be mindful is to be aware. I want all of you to test yourself out a little bit. After you finish reading this post, I would like for you take a mental note on how many times in a day you can be aware of either the thoughts that are filtering in your head, (whether they be positive or negative) or your emotions, how you are responding to your inner and outer reality. Practices like these will help you become more in tune with yourself. There's nothing better than knowing yourself! Practice this every day and you will see in no time how alert you will become! When we are mindful of ourselves, we can handle situations a lot easier and less painful than if it were the opposite.

Have you ever seen someone being screamed at but their not reacting?! I've seen plenty and I was always amazed at how someone can be so calm in a situation like that. But think about it my friends, that person is CHOOSING to be mindful, the individual is aware of his or her emotions. When there's no exchange of emotions back, guess who wins? The person whos being screamed at, and the person whos screaming looks like a fool! Remember no reaction sometimes is the best way to win an argument. You will ultimately pick and choose your battles, but remember you win when you are in tune with yourself.

Mindfulness is such a smart tool to have. No one knows you better than you know yourself, and when you know yourself, you know how to handle situations as well knowing how to deal with emotions on an appropriate level. When you are comfortable and confident with yourself, no one can ever try and tell you who you are! They may try but that's always a reflection of themselves in reality.

I hope you take what you have learned from this post and all of my blogs so far, and really apply it to your life. I can assure you, being mindful, having a positive outlook, knowing everything will be okay and, the universe or whatever you believe in has your back, you will be unstoppable my friend!

"Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experiences." - Jon Kabat- Zinn