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 CMF.....by letting your dentist know that you have some anxiety prior to going is stripping the fear factor away from the anxiety thus leaving it disabled.....Great effort 🙂 You have also used 'acceptance' of the anxiety by informing your dentist..(instead of fighting it)....Very cool

Mark wrote a beauty "wouldn't it be cool if catastrophising was an Olympic sport!! We would be gold medalists" Thats a keeper Mark 🙂 Excellent

My kind thoughts. Paul

[Doolhof]

Good Morning Everyone,

I have not been here for a while. It is lovely to read all the wonderful suggestions and support people offer to each other. Makes my heart glow to be a part of this amazing community.

At the moment I have a friend in Europe who is sending me daily emails with words of wisdom from a calendar she was once given. At present it is all about Mindfulness, Acceptance and Appreciation.

Even when I don't feel like thinking about such stuff, up pops a message from my friend to encourage me! Bless her.

I like some of the ideas and ways of distracting oneself. I have just completed a 1000 piece puzzle, I do some knitting or crocheting as both are good for relaxation and needing to be mindful of what I am doing so I don't drop stitches. I have some colouring books as well.

Do any of you remember an activity in early art classes where you would draw a whole lot of scribbles on a piece of paper and then colour each little bit in? Maybe it was just our art teacher who did that! Colouring that piece of paper in could take hours.

Watching something on T.V. does help with distraction as does reading. Guess there are lots of things we could do. I find it helps me to have some of these things handy, so in a moment of needing a distraction I don't have to go looking for stuff.

Example's: knitting in a basket in the lounge room, Sudoku puzzle book in the pantry, Word Search Puzzle book in the storage cupboard and one on the outside table, colouring book and pencils sharpened ready to go. A bit like an emergency kit for Mental Health! Ha. Ha.

Wishing you all a day where some kind of light bulb moment happens so you cope better!

Cheers from Mrs. D.

[MarkJT]

Mrs D, cracking idea to have things in various places to be there in times of need. I pretty much have headphones on me where ever i go for music if i need it.

CMF: When i was flying for the first time and had no real idea how i was going to go, I let the Stewardesses know that I may wig out but I have some meds if that happens and if i do, just tell me to breath. Gave them the heads up and they appreciated it. I did wig out on one flight but medicated quickly and successfully.

I think it is important to let people know that you have anxiety just like you did with the Dentist which had a really good outcome.

Would it be possible to practice mindfulness at the Dentist? As in concentrate on the sounds and the feels? Now that would be a challenge!!

Mark

[blondguy]

Hey MarkJT

I love your optimism and positive mindset about flying on a national 737-400 but its not the altitude that scares me....its being locked into an aluminum tube on the ground when they lock the door......ugh

My doc asked me if I was happy with my life and I said...yes...I am.

My GP then said "then Paul...you have nothing to worry about"

Im going to the dentist with CMF next time....She has the ability to exercise mindfulness doing so

Whether or not a person takes a anti anxiety med on a plane is not relevant. 30,000 feet cruising altitude with or without a med is a huge achievement......not to mention many of the people that I know that take a anti anxiety med when they fly interstate or overseas....I would need more than 10 fingers to count the people in corporate I know that take them prior to/during their flight.

It takes a lot of guts to let a dentist or a stewardess know that there is some mild anxiety prior.

Last year my postie asked me why I have been home for a few months......I was that tired of explaining myself to so many people I just said "Ive got depression". He was wonderful and wished me his best and it felt good 🙂

Have a great day everybody. My Kindest...Paul

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

I'm wondering how different our daily lives would be if we had the guts/determination/will power or what ever it is that we need, to tell people when we are not coping, instead of trying to do stuff in our own strength.

I might try that approach myself when I need to. Great thoughts Guys.

Cheers all from Mrs. D.

[TBella]

I've tried that & just get brushed off or totally ignored.

And that makes me feel even more alone, so I just keep it to myself even though some times I want to scream at the world.... can't you see I'm human & have human needs, not needy, just in human.

Anyway I sincerely hope you have more caring, understanding people in your life & it turns out well for you.

all the best

tbella

[MarkJT]

Paul, i am the same - being locked in the big metal tube was the worry but as i love staring at clouds, one thing i was actually looking forward to was being above the clouds to look down at them rather than up. Worked well and then the night sky, so awesome. Was on an A380 so the windows were not scratched and had a pretty good view!

Mrs D, I can tell you it is very enlightening and very powerful. I pretty do not care if people think i'm weak when i tell them, that is their issue, not mine. They need to be educated and open their eyes and if they do not want to be around me, fine - see ya. I have a a great family and a bunch of mates who put the protective bubble around me and do not flinch when i am struggling. They just tighten the bubble up some more.

I am ever so grateful that i have this attitude and have had it since diagnoses as I am highly mindful that there are so many who struggle to those close to them that they are not coping to well.

I should change my name to Lucky as that is what i have been from the outset.

Mark.

[Moonstruck]

Hi people...I've been searching over Forum, mainly in Staying Well obviously....for a thread dealing with books, CDs, certain authors and so on, who have resonated and helped you. Is anyone out there familiar with....and getting help from reading the Jerry & Esther Hicks/Abraham series.....eg. Law Of Attraction, interviews, DVDs, books, u tube snippets etc.......or is it only me?

[Croix]

Dear Moon, Paul and All~

The thread you may be talking about is

Forums / Staying well / Helpful books and resources

Hope this helps

Croix

[blondguy]

Good morning everybody 🙂

Thanks Croix...thats a big help with the resources link..greatly appreciated

Hey Mark....I like what you said about looking down on the clouds from the aircraft...that would be mindful on its own...as well as beautiful. A380??? Now thats a monster of an aircraft 🙂 I envy the support network you have with your friends....what a wonderful group of friends to have...Best always..Paul