There are some of us who keep up our morale by always being busy. We feverishly email while standing in line at Starbucks forgetting about all the chance encounters surrounding us. We send text messages while at dinner with our families. And we work longer and exercise less. Purpose and direction have been replaced with activities, distraction and constant stimulation.
This is why I wanted to create Mindful Monday. I wanted to give all of you a weekly restful moment.
Howard Thurman was a mystic, theologian, minister, and activist. He wrote a lot about mindfulness and I thought he would be a good person to highlight for Mindful Monday this week. Here are a few of Thurman’s words of wisdom:
“First, we must learn to be quiet, to settle down in one spot for a spell. Sometime during each day, everything should stop and the art of being still must be practiced. For some temperaments, it will not be easy because the entire nervous system and body have been geared over the years to activity, to overt and tense functions. Nevertheless, the art of being still must be practiced until development and habit are sure…
We must, each one of us, find his own time and develop his own peculiar art of being quiet.
We must lose our fear of rest.”
We find ourselves in rest.
Today, on this Monday, I challenge you to rest for five minutes. You can do this at work, at home or outside. The only reason you should use your phone is if you want to set a timer for five minutes. If you do this make sure to put the phone out of reach. Next, get comfortable. Once you are situated sit and look at what is around you. Pick one item. A flower, bird, book, fabric, painting and really look at it. Look how light interacts with the space. Look as if you are seeing for the first time. Be consumed by the possibilities around you. Notice and be.
Please feel free to share what you see in the comments below. I always love hearing from you.
Happy Mindful Monday.
I really like this important reminder for me. I care for my 8 month old twin grandsons every Monday. I can probably get in the five minutes, but may use all of Tuesday for much needed rest.
Thank you!
Liz Simmons, CSL, Santa Rosa
This morning I was on my back steps doing this exercise and noticed a turtle had fallen into the window well. I got it out and waited watchfully as it’s head and legs very slowly/mindfully appeared so it could walk away. This quiet observant time brought much peace and joy.
You could definitely see your enthusiasm within the
article you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how
they believe. All the time go after your heart.