Hi! Thanks for tuning in for today's #fitfriday. Often when I used to think about fitness, I focused on physical fitness. Since becoming a yoga instructor, I have learned a lot about the balance between mind and body. One of the yoga principles that helps to achieve that balance is known as santosa. Santosa is about contentment. Santosa is the practice of learning to accept and enjoy reality as it is. Learning to focus and concentrate on the positive elements of our surroundings and our relationships with an attitude of contentment greatly enhances our effectiveness and well-being.
With that said, being mindful is not always as easy as it sounds. It takes commitment, dedication and mental practice. I have put together a list of habits that can help in your quest to become more mindful. Here are 7 activities that have worked for me:
1) Sit in the morning. Every morning, one of the first things I do is to get a cup of coffee and spend 10-15 minutes in quiet contemplation. When the day is just beginning, it is peaceful and quiet. I take time to reflect on all the things that I am grateful for and allow myself to savor the moments. And, I give myself permission to "just be".
2) Eat mindfully. I decided to become a vegetarian in March of 2020. It helped me to slow down, and actually think about what I was going to eat. By doing so, I had to learn to cook, shop and plan meals differently than I had my entire life. Doing so encouraged me to try new things, enjoy new foods and really enjoy my meals. I began to notice colors, textures and different flavors. I took the time to ask myself-when was the last time I actually appreciated my meal?
3) Spend time outside. I have found that getting outside is not only refreshing to the senses, it allows me to connect with nature. By connecting to my environment, I find it soothing to notice how the weather feels, what I see, what I hear. As the seasons change, the animals change their patterns of behavior, which is fun to observe.
4) Feel feelings. In my journey, what I have noticed about feelings, is what we resist, tends to persist. In other words, what we attempt to avoid feeling seems to linger. So learning to allow yourself permission to feel anything you feel, in the moment, is really liberating. By giving yourself permission to feel your feelings, without judgment, you may find that difficulties you experienced in the past, no longer bother you.
5) Be creative. Is there something you have always wanted to do? Sing, paint, dance? For me it was writing. I have written poetry and short stories as a hobby since I was a little girl. By nurturing that part of yourself, you may find greater personal happiness. When we allow ourselves to dream and pursue creative passions, sometimes we learn to cultivate a deeper sense of being and purpose than we have experienced before.
6) Engage in Physical Activities. I found that yoga was a great way to accomplish both goals, at the same time. By learning about myself on the mat, I was able to take those experiences off my mat and into the world. It is often easiest to be mindful when doing something we enjoy and which requires both the attention of the mind and the body. My most recent pursuit is rock climbing. The sense of adventure you can experience can be very rewarding.
7) Take a class. Learn something new. There is such great satisfaction in a sense of achievement. Setting yourself a goal to learn something new, then achieving it, is very rewarding and provides a sense of accomplishment.
I encourage you to try some of these habits and activities and see what works for you. Different things work for different people. By trying new things, you may experience a greater feeling of being in control of your own life and destiny than you ever have before.
In fact, at Shaffer, you can take a class and earn your real estate license. Check out your options at www.theshafferway.com. See you soon! Warmly, Susan