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Practicing Mindfulness

Mindfulness.  
Being conscious or aware of something.  Synonyms: alive to, observant, plugged in, tuned in and with eyes peeled.  

More importantly, a skill I am trying to improve in my personal, spiritual, professional and family life.  

Running down rabbit trails and fragmented scattered thinking has become a way of life. 

Practicing mindfulness is very hard work for me!  Disciplining my mind to focus on the details and being present.   A snapshot.  Taking the big picture and then zooming in.  

I practiced at the lake yesterday while the boys were exploring.  Oreo and I sat on a log and focused on one area trying to see and hear all of the details.


My Observation Spot!








I attempt and practice at my dining room table.
Sitting at the table while the boys eat their breakfast instead of rushing around doing things.  
Keeping my mind at the table and in the conversation during supper.

Practice in conversation.  Not thinking ahead of an answer or what I need to do.  Not thinking about a response or how to fix it.

Practice in eating.  Tasting my food.

I practice while I pray.  Focusing on Worship and Praise and Thankfulness and not rushing into needs.  Being silent for a minute without allowing those floods of request into my head.

I practice while I read.  Read a verse and then stay with it.  Chewing the words as I might a great tasting dessert...savoring the flavor.

I'm very far from where I want to be but I am going the right direction!  

So, someday I'll reach my destination. 


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