It is not possible to live a stress-free life, especially in these days. There will always be problems and conflicts. The only thing we can do is to know how to deal with it. That’s where the benefits of mindful living come in. Mindful living will bring you to a place of serenity instead of bringing you to misery.
According to Psychology Today, 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 and awakening to experience.
If there’s one thing that kept me sane over the last 6 months, it is living in the present moment. Learning to take each day as it comes, I’ve been trying to enjoy life despite all the restrictions that the pandemic has brought. I’m convinced there is no other way.
5 Benefits of Mindful Living
Practice mindful living and enjoy its benefits.
#1 Authenticity
To be mindful is to be self-aware. You get to know the true you; what you really need, what you should do to make you better, and what needs to be gone from your life. People think they already know who they really are, but most of the time, they just go with what the world expects them to do. Living an mindful life makes you true to yourself so you live an authentic life.
#2 Inner peace
Mindfulness means you stay in your centre. So you don’t easily get affected when conflicts and problems ensue. Rather than focusing on the problem, you know that you are in a safe place inside and that complications are just temporary. Everything will soon be alright.
#3 Success
You are more likely to succeed when you stay focused on what matters most. You keep your eyes at the prize. You know your goals and you’re here to reach them. You make deliberate actions, disregard the petty things and pour your energy into what matters most. As you don’t get distracted by chaos, you get to your destination faster. You are more likely to succeed than those who are not mindful.
#4 Physical health
A healthy mind means a healthy body. If you feed your mind with positive things, you rid your body with toxins. Mindfulness relieves stress which in itself has a number of benefits. Relief of stress means better, deeper sleep, normal blood circulation, happier disposition, healthier heart condition.
#5 Connected
Mindful living means becoming aware and connected with your surroundings, with the present, with nature, and with the people around you. You become more cognizant when you’re mindful.
Mary Oliver on Mindful Living
As many of my regular readers might know, Mary Oliver is one of my favourite poets. I love how this particular poem talks about how Nature can teach us about mindful living.
When I Am Among The Trees
When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”
Enjoy the benefits of mindful living and enjoy living a life that’s lived to the fullest.
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I so appreciate Mary Oliver’s thinking and writing!
Yes, she was brilliant.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..7 Secrets of Authentic Living
It’s only mindful living that will help us sail through life. But, at times, being present in the present seems so impossible. The mind wanders off to the past or worries about the future! 🙁
Right. And yes, it’s tough, we’re most often living in the past or the future.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Stop Being Obsessed with Making the Right Decision
Echoing your thoughts on taking each day as it comes during these testing times Corrine.
Wondering about the future and the ‘what if’s’ is natural but today’s the day to be lived so enjoy it while it’s here – tomorrow is yet to come
Yes, who knows about tomorrow, right?
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Stop Competing And Set Yourself Free
Hi Corinne – I really liked all of these tips – I’m working hard at digging down to the “real” me and finding out what I want in life (rather than what I’ve been told I want since I was a child). I think what I’m aiming for is inner peace – a calm, unruffled centre. I figure I’ll get there if I keep being present with myself and not rushing off to deal with distractions. I also love Mary Oliver’s poetry.
We really seem to be on the same path, Leanne. Finding our real selves can be tough with all the conditioning, but it’s so rewarding to be on this path!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Stop Competing And Set Yourself Free
It may seem tough but mindfulness is the only way to deal with these challenging times. You know I’ve tried so many different things and each time I came back to mindfulness to lead me on with peace and solace within. Mary Oliver is my favourite too. I’ve been reading aloud her poems along with a few other poets and it don’t know why but interestingly, poetry has been filling up all the empty spaces within me so wonderfully during this pandemic.
Esha recently posted..Decision Time | #Musings
Thank you for sharing, Esha. I love how you say that poetry is filling up the empty spaces within you. A lot of us have been surviving on mindfulness, gratitude and meaningful words.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..How Conflict Might Be Good For Our Relationships
Loved the post and the poem. I too take one day at a time. That is the only way I have managed without having a major anxiety attack. One day at a time, one task at a time.
Glad you liked them. There is no other way, is there?
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..7 Powerful Ways to Overcome Self Doubt
I really loved this post. Much went for a toss this year, and I tried really hard to stay sane. I totally agree with you. I am trying to stay mindful, but not all days are the same. Beautiful poem there.
Yes, as many of us had our plans go awry, we have to cling on to mindfulness and gratitude. And I agree, some days are really difficult.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Stop Competing And Set Yourself Free
Hi Corinne, thank you for this post and it helped my reflections this week as, sadly, my dog passed away yesterday. It’s devastating. Mindfulness is the only thing that its keeping me going, and my other dog of course. Staying with my centre, as you suggest, and connecting with nature are so helpful and I can almost see my dog in the wind and the rain. I know he’s there somewhere.
Anne from AnnesHappyClues recently posted..Feeling Low? 4 Easy Tips to Get You Positive Again
Anne – I’m so, so sorry about the loss of your dog. Being a dog lover, I completely understand how hard that it is. I’m sure he’s watching over you from that ‘rainbow bridge’. Stay strong!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..8 Fast Fixes for a Quick Energy Boost
What a meaningful poem that is Corinne- thanks for sharing it. This year has been the mother of all effed up years and for almost everyone. Who had imagined that we would be forced to be cooped up like this in our homes for more than 6 months now and also be forced to do so in virtual isolation. This time has taught me to dislike social media life so intensely that I have been wondering what had hooked me to it in the first place.
You make some valid points in this post and I have been struggling on all of them for these few months now.
Shalzmojo recently posted..Restrictions generate yearnings for what you can’t have | Gratitude |
Oh yes, Mary Oliver never ceases to move me.
Yes, social media is a necessary evil with our blogs but can get so intense and vicious.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Do You Practise Self-Care?