I am actively engaged in Mindfulness practices in my life and teach mindfulness to my clients. Mindfulness practices bring you into the here-and-now, enabling present-moment awareness of your senses, thoughts, and emotions. Too often our minds take over the present moment, making interpretations, playing out worst-case scenarios, and sending us into negative spaces that keep us from being effective in the present situation.
Mindfulness practices help to address negative thoughts, feelings and actions that lead to depression, anxiety, and problems with social relating. Mindfulness is a choice that you make to focus on something occurring in the actual present moment which will enable you to take a break from the discursive, negative thought patterns that are causing you to suffer. This act of choice, to be present and mindful of your breath, your surroundings, or your bodily sensations, allows you to gain control of your mind and offers perspective on your current situation. Then, from a more balanced place, you can better decide how to respond to the current situation or whether to respond at all! Sometimes taking a step back is the most effective response!
Check out my blogs under the “Archives” section on the right side of this page for further discussions of Mindfulness and related topics.
