Mindfulness: What Is It? (Even if you dont know please post so we can help grow the forums accordingly)

[blondguy]

Hi Everybody

This is only the basic dictionary definition...

"Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment without judgement"

• Please be as blunt you wish....If you dont have an idea about mindfulness it would be great if you could let us know
• If mindfulness hasnt worked/or is too broad a concept for you it would great if you can let us know your thoughts too
• If mindfulness has helped you, please help others to help themselves by posting how you have embraced this mindset

It goes without saying that the forums are a judgement free zone and I really hope that everyone can jump in and have their say

Your input is highly valued no matter how you respond to this topic. There are no experts here...New Posters are Most Welcome!!

My Kindest Thoughts

Paul

[blondguy]

Hey Sara, thankyou for the kind and positive post

Its great to use 'Cruise Control' (mindfulness) when we can....like your coffee moment!

Miles of Smiles..........Great phrase Sara 🙂

Here's mine....."Cruise and You Cant Lose" My Best Paul

[quirkywords]

Mark thanks for your story about the your plane trip. Medication has its place.

Paul your words are so helpful and accurate. Thanks

Sara, that first small step to change a mindset can be the hardest and while it can seem small looking back at the time it can often appear to be gigantic.

This thread has so many different personalities, viewpoints and experiences . It is a patchwork of mindfulness , a quilt of wisdom, a blanket of emotions to comfort us during our quiet alone times.

Quirky

[Just Sara]

Oh Quirky; that paragraph's going on the Bouquet thread hun!!

How bloody lovely...Sara xo

[blondguy]

Good Morning everyone 🙂

Sara....what a fantastic post from Quirky...written from the heart

Quirky Said "This thread has so many different personalities, viewpoints and experiences . It is a patchwork of mindfulness , a quilt of wisdom, a blanket of emotions to comfort us during our quiet alone times"

Great stuff Quirky..and thankyou...My Kindest. Paul

[quirkywords]

Thanks Paul and Sara.

I just want to share something that happened this morning. I was pegging flags to a line outside my shop and concentrating on what flags to put where and making sure they were right way up.

Then a customer called out to me and startled me as I had been in my own world. I thought is that a sort of/kind of/ maybe/imitation/ mindfulness grade b?

I thought I must tell Paul and the gang.

[Just Sara]

Hey Quirky;

It sure was. Not the incident itself, but the feeling of being bought back to earth. It's like going from auto pilot back to manual where you in control and aware of your surroundings and responsibilities. Sounds like it was instant grounding. 🙂

I hope this helps

Sara x

[MarkJT]

Sara, yes i certainly still have plenty of "blah" times where i just drop it. No point.

No such thing on Monday morning though. Had a course that we have to do often and for some unknown reason my anxiety was high. So the conversation with myself went something like this....

Okay mate, you are getting anxious, is there a trigger?

No can't identify one

Okay, that's cool because there is not always a trigger, it just happens. You know what you have to do?

Yes breath, concentrate on your breath, block everything else out, be mindful

Spot on - start

Breathing starts and concentrate on the breath going in through the nose and slowly out through the mouth

You are safe, you are okay. You can control this. There is nothing to be scared about. You have traveled this road before and come good. Breath mate breath. Deep breathe.

I managed to get myself into a very mindful state where i was purely with my breath and calmed myself down. Probably took about 20 mins before i could let go and get back to what was going on in class but was effective.

I find it really important to talk to myself in my thoughts. Ask questions, answer them as if i am having a conversation with another.

Onwards and upwards to the next attack!!

Mark.​

[blondguy]

Hey everybody!

Mark...You have summed up exactly how to breathe when we are close or having mild to severe anxiety. Ive been trying to find the words that you have posted so well.

MarkJT said "Breathing starts and concentrate on the breath going in through the nose and slowly out through the mouth"

Mark has accurately described the correct breathing technique to counter even a mild stressful event as well as any anxiety related feeling.....It may sound simple but its a crucial technique that will help...big time!

Practicing this breathing technique can take the severity off an anxious or overthinking mind

Thanks Mark...My Best

Paul

[CMF]

Mark,

you say it took about 20 mins to feel calmer. This is good to know as I always expect to feel calmer quicker, like in a minute or so. I think this false expectation makes me feel it isn't working and I give up. It seems persistence is the key here.

thx

cmf

[blondguy]

Hey CMF

Im still learning the breathing technique properly too. In an anxious or stressed state it sometimes is hard to remember though. The practice is the key...we will get there cmf

I used to take deep mega breaths and never understood why nothing was working....except for hyperventilation which is an ugly & bad place to be in....... Mark has nailed this spot on.....Im actually going to put on my fridge..

MarkJT said "Breathing starts and concentrate on the breath going in through the nose and slowly out through the mouth" Best and thanks cmf. Paul