Are you always trying to get somewhere other than where you are?  Do you spend time thinking about the past or worrying about the future?  Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present yet if we spend today going over the past or worrying about the future we rob ourselves of the present and we do not experience the now.  The only time that exists is this moment, the past has gone and tomorrow never comes yet we spend so much time thinking about it. 

In our busy lives we are often on autopilot.  We get lost in the doing at the expense of being.  Have you ever arrived at work and not remembered the commute?  Or been eating popcorn at the movies only to put your hand in and realise the box is empty? (or in my case not only my own box but my friends box too).  It’s when we are focusing on other things and our mind has wandered that we are not paying attention and life passes us by.  And in our busy multitasking lives it’s easy to get lost in the doing and end up living most of our days on autopilot.

Being more mindful means living in the present moment.  Focus and awareness in a non judgemental way and is a lot like meditation, but mindfulness can be brought into everyday tasks.  Brushing our teeth, washing the dishes, going for a walk, listening to a friend, it is when you are 100% present in what you are doing and noticing every little thing.  There are no distractions, you are not multitasking or thinking about your to do list or what’s for tea.  You are there in the present moment and fully aware.

You can start by breathing mindfully and being aware of your breath.  Whether you are sitting meditating, in the car driving to work or queuing at the supermarket.  Eating mindfully is another helpful practice, not only does it help slow us down and focus on our food but it’s better for our digestion than rushing through our meals as we tend to these days.  Mindful walking is a lovely way to spend a summers evening, there is no destination in mind, it is slow and deliberate, you’re not rushing from point A to point B, nor are you lost in thought about what went on at work that day.  You are mindfully absorbed in the joy of walking, feeling the ground beneath your feet, listening to the birds in the trees, feeling the breeze in your face and watching the sun sinking in the sky and taking the time to quite literally smell the roses!

For today’s challenge we’re going to practice returning to the present.  To be here now.  The easiest way to do this and where we’ll start is now.  Stop and notice 5 things around you, what can you see, hear, feel, smell?  This is a particularly nice exercise to do outside walking in nature, taking in the sights and sounds.  So often when we walk we’re going from A to B and thinking about our destination, our purpose of going or a hundred other things not related to the present moment.  Walking mindfully means we’re aware of our surroundings, how we feel, what we can see and hear and it makes us a lot happier.

If you’d like to take this further today then pick a sound you hear regularly, a bel, buzzer, text notification or phone ringing and use that as a reminder.  Every time you hear that sounds today pause for a moment, take a breath in and out and notice 5 things to bring yourself back to the present.

Mindfulness is acceptance of what is, without judgement, being yourself, at home with yourself and seeing the beauty in every moment.  It teaches us to slow down and notice more.  This leads to a true happiness that arises from within independent of external circumstances.  Mindfulness brings us back to the present moment and back to ourselves that home within.  Through mindfulness, you can reconnect with yourself and become healthier in mind, body and soul.