Some lessons need to be re-learned, over and over (and over) again. Life makes sure of that, which is why whatever issues you struggle with tend to constantly pop up, confronting you sometimes when you least expect it.
Like when you wake up one random Tuesday morning and decide that you’re going to try a boxing class you’ve never been to before at the gym. You’re proud of yourself for getting out of bed early, and for stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new, and then you get there and the instructor has to tell you no less than 5 times to “wait for my count” as you’re wailing away on him, punching and jabbing relentlessly, forgetting to listen for the cues.
That was me this morning. My obvious need to get out some aggression aside, it reminded me that I really struggle with practicing mindfulness. Sometimes I eat while watching TV, forgetting to savor every bite. I race through my commute without paying attention to my surroundings. My fingers fly over the keyboard, replying to emails before processing them. I think about what I’ll eat for lunch during yoga. I get distracted by Facebook when I’m supposed to be talking to my mom on the phone.
I know that this is not the way to go through life. I work on trying to be more mindful each day, reminding myself at every opportunity to slow down and be present. To proceed with purpose and intention. I know how important being mindful is while exercising; I tell my clients all the time to make that mind/muscle connection in order to make a move more effective. It really matters.
I obviously needed a reminder this morning, and I learned my lesson once again. Maybe if you’re reading this, you need to be reminded of this again, too. Life is funny like that; you just have to pay attention to to the cues.
I find myself not being more mindful sometimes as well. Especially when eating a great meal. If I’m using my iPhone or reading the newspaper while I eat, I don’t even taste the food. I might as well be eating rice cakes then.
Thanks for the reminder to be more mindful in all areas of life. I need to stop and smell the roses more often.
Hi Benny, thanks for stopping by! Your point about the rice cakes…you may be onto something. Before I sit down to something delicious, tell myself that if I don’t pay full attention to whatever delicious thing I’m about to eat, that I have to swap it out for rice cakes. Bet I’d learn to be more mindful really quickly then
Oh yeah….This is definitely something that I need to remember too. I’m CONSTANTLY going through mental lists of things that need to be done tomorrow, today. Yeesh.
Michelle,
Its your cousin, I protect my identity on the internet by using weird names… Anyway I go to the local park every morning to jog and I have seen a tremendous result from exercising; not only do I feel better physically but I feel great mentally as well. I focus on more things throughout the day, its almost as if the workout makes my mind pump with new thoughts and ideas that I have never thought of until now. I do believe that paying attention to surroundings is important to any aspect of exercising. The repetitious exercise is a boring one, which means that it will become dull and I will go back to my “lazy form” once again. Thats why I mix up what I do EVERYDAY. So thanks for your little informational articles, I love reading them and keep up the good work! By the way your blog on michellegmason.com needs updated BAD! I loved that blog as well!