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Turn Inconveniences Into Opportunities for Mindfulness

2/22/2018

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I wanted to share a quick mindfulness tip that I apply to my daily life that I hope you find helpful.
 
I am a little impatient, especially when I’m in a  hurry. And sometimes even when I’m not in a hurry. I usually blame those moments on being hangry.
 
A long line. Slow traffic. Service that’s taking forever. The list goes on.
 
Instead of allowing myself to become consumed with unnecessary rage, I look at the situation as an opportunity vs. an inconvenience. In most cases, my only option is to wait it out. So why not use that time wisely, in a way that benefits my mind and body?

  • I start by recognizing the moment as an opportunity to slow down. With practice, you’ll feel an immediate switch in perspective.
  • I say “thank you” to the situation for this opportunity to check-in with myself.
  • I take a few deep breaths.
  • I then might say some positive affirmations to myself, tell myself there may be a reason this delay is happening that is to my benefit, send good thoughts to the person or people contributing to my negativity – offering grace, knowing their situation could be worse than mine in that moment.
 
By the time I’m through with this short routine, the circumstances causing me to feel poorly most times have passed. And if they haven’t, I’m in a better place, able to handle the wait with more tolerance all around.
 
Give this a try and let me know what you think! If you have any other good mindfulness tips, I’d love to hear them.
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Still be Loved for it

2/16/2018

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I’ve been feeling a little exhausted by personal development lately. I read the books, the quotes, the encouraging posts every day. I reflect, I practice, I preach as often as I can. I celebrate victories and try learning from setbacks. Yada, yada.

Like many others, I’m always working towards the “best version of myself.” That’s the whole point of personal development, right? But I never feel like I get there. And I beat myself up for that. I tell myself that “next time will be better.”

But what if it’s not? How can I come to terms with that?

I’m really struggling to find a balance between who I am now and the “better” me. I can’t seem to make myself believe that I am loved as I am now, before the “better.” And if I continue to think that way, I fear that I’ll never truly internalize the love I KNOW I am SURROUNDED by. Taking it for granted in a way, which is something I am terrified of.

My personal development is, and I feel always will be, quite a roller coaster. When my anxiety and depression subside, I excel. Connections are made, joy is felt, creativity radiates. When they appear, they take me down. Negative self-talk creeps in, isolation is in full force, physically I run on empty. One step forward, two steps back. A painful dance I’ve been forced to learn the steps to.

In either state, I leave interactions and experiences saying to myself, “Next time will be better.” Every single time.I feel that if I tripped over my words, acted awkwardly, didn’t say or do the right thing – I’ve lost any love that existed in that moment. Without fail. Like the love that was present before or in that moment disappeared the moment I felt I wasn’t “better.” For a woman who preaches presence and joy in the moment, this isn’t a very healthy way to think.

The quote I shared at the top of this post really got me thinking. I have to reach a point where “better” isn’t always a factor. I can be who I am – WITH SO MANY IMPERFECTIONS – and still feel worthy of being loved in that moment and beyond. Good day, bad day – loved for it. Gold star performance, F grade performance – loved for it. Internalize that I am loved for who I am, not who I think I should be. Which for some reason I think would be a more loveable person?

I’ll close with this. When we feel that we could be/need to be better – that’s great, it drives us forward towards being good human beings – but don’t get distracted by only looking forward/waiting for next time. Take time to be present and think about this: “I remember the days I used to dream about what I have now.” We are a version of our “better” every day. It may not feel like it, but if that’s what we’ve been working towards, then there has to be a bit (or all) of it that exists in who we are in this present moment.
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    Augusta Sires

    I'm a Midwest girl on a path to peace. Finding happiness in life, not things. Join me.


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