What we practice grows stronger
Life can be rough!!
I personally have a laundry list of challenges that is so long it can shut me down with a sense of overwhelm and dread. Encouraging, right? ;)
We each navigate challenges, so don't let social media fool you into thinking that everyone else is walking on Easy Street— that's a fantasy. This is where the opportunity and the power of mindfulness reside! It's a YES, AND scenario!
Through mindfulness we practice holding space for the struggles and challenges that are part of the human experience (the Sky Equanimity meditation is a great example), and deliberately place our attention on the goodness that also exists in life (during a gratitude meditation). It's a practice, and in real life, we get to practice some more.
Yes, and…
I love Dr. Shauna Shapiro's TED Talk, where she shares the science of mindfulness and how what we practice grows stronger. This puts the choice on our plates. We can decide. Do we want to practice the non-stop habit of paying attention to our struggles —including struggles from our past or those we imagine in our future? Or do we want to explore deliberately placing attention on some of the goodness that's already present in our lives? We can practice kind attention.
One practice I've found helpful for deliberately redirecting attention toward goodness is the ABC's of Gratitude. This provides a welcome break from the potentially negative downward spirals of rumination. Simply pause, take a big breath in and out, then think of something with the letter A for which you feel grateful. It can be something simple like a seasonal apple or something more consequential, for example, I often bring to mind my older daughter, Anna. Then continue through the alphabet. This is also a lovely way to fall asleep at night. Through this exercise we practice noticing goodness.
What do you want to practice?
What you practice grows stronger.
Have you practiced the ABC's of Gratitude? I'd love to hear more. Hit reply and share.
Warmly,
Julia
Scroll down for mindfulness resources.
Reminder: All CMP Programs are in the Eastern Time Zone.
12-Minute Gratitude Meditation
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