MINDFULNESS
Have you ever noticed how much time we spend imagining all sorts of unpleasant futures or remembering past pain and disappointment? With all this attention to the future and past, we miss out on what is happening right now.
Mindfulness, or being present is paying attention to what is happening right now. Inside of us – our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations with kindness and curiosity – and around us – what we see, what we hear, what we smell, what we taste, what we feel. When we pay attention right now to what is inside of us and around us without judging whether it is good or bad, and with a sense of kindness and curiosity, we are being mindful. Mindful attention helps you recognize when something does not feel right and respond in ways that can help keep yourself and others safe.
Mindfulness – the ability to maintain moment-by-moment awareness and acceptance of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment – is a skill that improves with practice. And the practice should begin in a safe, quiet place. Mindfulness is not the solution to all the world’s problems but can be of benefit to you. It can help both you and the individual that you support improve focus and awareness, strengthen emotional balance, and promote overall well-being.