We tend to tune out certain things we hear over and over. The word mindfulness is one of those words. Especially if we aren’t sure exactly what it means.
One definition I’ve heard it mean is paying attention to our thoughts and feelings. We tend to let them roam freely in our mind and then too often react to them.
I recently listened to a podcast author describe mindfulness in a different way. She said that mindfulness could mean we have a healthier relationship with our thoughts and feelings.
I considered that for a moment and can see the value in looking at it that way.
How often have you witnessed someone not have a healthy relationship with a thought or feeling? If you’re with family, at work, in a public place or even driving down the road, you may easily spot someone whose relationship with their thoughts or feelings is certainly not healthy. They are the ones who are angry, inconsiderate, and if driving, possibly cutting someone off or offering a specific type of hand gesture.
Why is that? I think it often boils down to not liking something the other person did or said, or we took personal offense by. We then find the need to act upon the feelings.
However, when we deliberately pay attention and observe what is going on inside our minds, we have a better chance of acting in alignment with who and how we want to be, rather than speaking or reacting on impulse.
I’ve recently been struggling with being really annoyed with someone. It all boils down to our different personalities and could be a barrier for me to live in my personal value of practicing authentic kindness. My annoyance makes it hard! And then I feel annoyed at myself for being annoyed! UGH!
The important thing to me is that I’m aware of this. By paying attention to this feeling, I know it exists and because of this, I don’t have to react or behave in a way that goes against who I really want to be.
That’s tuning in.
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