In a world that is continually moving faster and providing more and more distractions to pull you out of the present moment, it is more important than ever to learn how to be aware of the present moment.  A person can lower stress and enrich their life experience by cultivating this awareness.  In this article, I will try to explain what mindfulness is and give some examples of how to practice a mindful life.

Understanding Mindfulness

Mindfulness is defined as the state of being engaged and fully present in the moment, right now.  Judgment or attachment is not present in relating to your thoughts, emotions, or current external circumstances.  One tries to be aware of the thoughts and feelings every situation brings into our lives from external stimuli and internal thoughts and responses to whatever is happening, and accepting it.

Today, mindfulness has become a mainstream practice and is widely studied and adopted in fields like psychology, medicine, education, and corporate settings. It has proven to be an effective tool for enhancing overall well-being, reducing stress, improving focus, and promoting emotional resilience in the face of life’s challenges. The integration of mindfulness into various secular settings has made it accessible to people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, making it a universal practice that transcends its original origins.

Benefits of Being Mindful

So many positives come to you when you understand the present moment is all you have. It will help you reduce stress and anxiety because you are eliminated regrets about the past and worry about the future by existing in the only thing you have, the present moment.

By doing this you will also improve your Mental clarity and focus.  Rather than having your thoughts bring up uncontrolled images of yesterday or tomorrow, a person can focus on what today is bringing into life, good or bad, and accept it as a part of life’s experience.  Rather than resist it because it doesn’t match your perception of what life should be.

Our emotions also benefit from the practice of mindfulness, because we start to be aware of the feelings we are experiencing in the moment.  We can learn what each emotion actually is and what thoughts or experiences have brought it to the surface.  Without mindfulness and awareness, we will be a servant to these feelings. Understanding and acceptance puts the power in your hands, so you are in control of what happens.

What you are aware of you control, and what you are not mindful of controls you.  That is the way many deal with their emotions throughout their lives.  The practice of being aware of your experiences throughout the day will enhance the quality and experience of your life.