Mindful Living

First, we think something.
Second, we act on it.
Third, we live with the consequences.

There are so many blogs and twitter feeds about positivity, positive thinking, daily meditations on life, thoughts for the day, etc.  Not all of them are helpful or even great, but they all share a similar purpose, i.e. they try to help people look at things more positively so they can live more fully.  I am all for that, because it works.  In fact, mindful living makes it easier to say yes to what we really care about and no to things that don't matter.  Mindful eating means we choose the food we love, and we leave the lesser options alone.  It means we slow down with our eating, savoring every bite.  We limit distractions and make the most of the moment.

There are so many thoughts that run through our minds all day long.  They are not all positive, nor should they be.  Sometimes negative thoughts can protect us from impending danger.  However, when it comes to behavioral change, the more positive we can be, the better results we will achieve. Often, when I am coaching someone, he will say to me that he can't do this or that or the other. Eventually, I stop him and say--tell me what you can do.  Let's reframe this conversation to what is possible because that's where the change happens.  We can be realistic too.  While maybe you can't get to the gym because of sick people at home, you can close the door for two minutes and breathe deeply and then make a cup of tea.  That's positive and intentional, mindful and restorative.  It's not the same as going to the gym, but you couldn't get there anyway, so forget about it.  Focus on what you can do.  Let everything else fall away.  Those negative thoughts do not serve you.  Free yourself from them.

I know it is not possible to be positive and intentional all of the time.  However, moving towards a more mindful life where you take the time you need for the things that matter to you will quiet some of those negative thoughts.  Then, it will help those negative behaviors from creeping in as well.  (I can't work out so I might as well pick up take out fast food.)  In addition, it will balance all that you do that is good and hopefully paint a much more realistic picture of your life.  No one's life is all pluses or all minuses.  There are parts of both in everyone's life.  That's normal.  Of course, we like the positive times more than the negative.  That's normal too.

Watch what you are thinking.  Then watch what you are doing.  Do your thoughts and actions match the mindful, intentional life of good health that you are looking for?    If so, keep it up.  If not, go back and try to discover where the breakdown occurred.  Try again the next time.  Keep going. That's it.  No need to belittle your efforts.  Keep going.  You will get where you want to go as long as you don't give up.