Mindful Monday: Episode 2

Let's go back to the simple times of when we played "Eye Spy." We may find mindful opportunities where we least expect them to be!

Transcript

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Welcome to another episode of mindful Monday. Before we begin. I want to take a moment to recognize that our holiday season is upon us. And some of us may enter into the hustle and bustle of holiday events. Gatherings and traditions. I would like to extend my thoughts to those who are struggling more so than usual. During the holidays, mental health challenges may increase first time. That is a very real and normal part of the human experience. Some may be struggling with a loss or overall loneliness, poverty or addiction. Take a moment to think of each and every person who may be experiencing some form of difficulty during this time. Let us also recognize and acknowledge that while some of us may be celebrating our annual holiday traditions. There are many out there among us that may not share the same holiday as we do. Let us celebrate our diversity and offer our respect, acceptance, and gratitude to all people, regardless of what beliefs and values they may have. Speaking of traditions. Today's exercise brings me back to a very long time ago. Do any of you have memories of being a kid in the backseat of a car and patiently waiting to get out? That those car rides ever feel endless and boring. Well, I can tell you that I was one of those children. Growing up as an only child only further added to car ride boredom. And I hold a great appreciation for my parents who had to endure my constant complaints and questioning about when the car ride would finally be over. I know that not all of you will have had these memories. Knowing now that I held a large privilege to have even been in a car at all, especially with two loving parents. It's something I'm extremely grateful for. I am merely sharing this story as a way to introduce just how accessible mindfulness activities can be, even when we least expect it. I want you to imagine that you are seven years old. You are in the backseat of a car being driven to some destination. The destination is not as important as being present in the back seat. The sun is beaming in shining across the side of your arms legs. Touching your face. You can smell the heat from the seatbelt that is strapped across your chest. Your legs are restless and your arms are starting to wave. Your fingers are tapping on your knees and you start asking the infamous question. Are we there yet? The person in the front turns around and says, not quite, but getting close. You turn to your side and look out the window. And then shift to the other side. It feels as though an hour has passed and you are certain, it must be time to get out. You asked the same question. Are we there yet? Once again, the person in the front turns back. And this time says it's only been five minutes. Five minutes. The person in the front smiles and tells you to relax. You look out the window and take a deep breath. You saw with effort and then you hear. I spy with my little eye. Your ears perk up and you start to shift your eyes in a few different directions. Anticipating what you may be searching for. Then it comes. I spy with my little lie. Something that is Fred. You start to search for a red object within the car you ask. Is it big? You hear it's small and it has black in it. You start scanning around the car once again. Is it higher, low? It's higher. Is it round? It has curves around the edges. Hmm, you start looking again. You catch a glimpse of something red sticking on the back of the sudden Biser oh, yes. It must be this. It's the puppy. You hear? Yes, you got it. You breathe out Asya for leaf and you ask for another item to spy. The game continues and you're halfway through the next item. When you hear. Okay. Time to get out. We're here. You don't want to leave the car until you have found what it is you're searching for, but you're guided out of the car. You think to yourself? That was a fun game and are looking forward to the ride home when you can play again and find the last item that you were searching for. What would you think if I were to tell you that this well-known childhood game can actually be considered a form of mindfulness? Mindfulness it's anything that brings our attention. And awareness into the present moment that we are experiencing. Without judgment. It's raising our own awareness about our surroundings. The textures. Smells. Flavors. Visions of the moment. Savoring, whatever we are experiencing in the right now. So you see. Mindfulness is something that can be incorporated into almost any situation. It doesn't have to be a guided meditation or a relaxation exercise. In fact. Mindfulness may have a relaxing effect. But the true purpose is not to be a relaxation exercise. It's to embrace the reality of the moment and accept it for what it is. If you think about it, mindfulness is something that we may have experienced more. If we grew up in a generation that didn't have access to cell phones, video games on the go and DVD players in our vehicles. I remember playing the ice by game on many occasions. And looking back, I can see the value in the exercise. Though the intention was more likely to be a frantic and desperate attempt to Sue my constant questioning of when the car ride would be over. Nonetheless. I would invite each of you to play your own game of ice. By whatever age you may be. It is an exercise that can help us become more familiar with our surroundings and ground us to the present moment. Taking note of what we see around us. What we may smell. How the surface feels beneath our feet or bottoms. What we're hearing, is there a flavor in the air? If, so what does it taste like? Practice using your five senses with this activity. And do so without passing judgment on your thoughts or emotions. Just be with what is around you and direct your attention to each item you identify. This kind of activity can assist us with slowing down our racing thoughts and the busy-ness of holiday seasons and life in general. It can bring us back to our present moment and help us to feel more solid and grounded. These kinds of practical and concrete activities. Or ones that we will continue to learn together. As the series progresses. I wish you all a wonderful day. Together, we can climb any mountain. Remember to be kind to our community and be kind to yourself. Your community partner.