INTRODUCTION

Staring at the white computer screen, she thought; ’ I have so much to share. Where do I start?’ And the cursor continued to blink – at blank line, after line …

You may not face ‘writer’s block’ – but how about blocking emotional awareness?

THE PROBLEM

An expert makes use of the right tool – at the right time, for maximum pay off. We need to become experts – about our own needs, thoughts and beliefs.

Awareness is required – but we can be distracted by the noise of daily life. We need to be aware of what’s going on within us –in the present moment, so we can make good choices about how best to handle difficulty. We need to focus on here-and-now.

THE SOLUTION: Mindfulness

Try this for 5 minutes:

• Begin with a brief prayer, asking to receive guidance and understanding.
• Sit comfortably, with your feet flat on the floor; your back well supported, and your hands lying palms up in your lap. Close your eyes, and take three or four deep, relaxed breaths. Try a breath-prayer here – or simply repeat a counted pattern of breathing, slow and easy (in through the nose – out through the lips).
• Notice what you feel in your body. Is it hot or cold? Are there areas of muscle tension? Notice your feet against the floor, and the weight of your body against the chair cushion, or the heaviness of your hands resting in your lap. Check your heart rate. Can you sustain smooth, slow, and even breaths or do you notice irregularity? Allow yourself to just be – alive and breathing. Enjoy the moments, peacefully.
• As you tune in to what’s going on in your body you may relax a little, slipping into inner-space to recognize more of what’s going on in your emotions, and in the thoughts layered behind them. Silently ask yourself questions, if that helps, but only if you can stay relaxed and comfortable.
• Don’t waste time judging. Just notice, and keep breathing – easy, deep breaths.
• When you’re ready,  open your eyes and describe your experience to yourself. (You can write your description, simply ponder it, or talk it over with God. Use the method that works best for clarity.)

Once you’ve explored feelings, you may have a different perspective and be able to develop a more specific plan. Give thanks for any increased awareness, insights, or relaxation you gained.

Practice this often in the next few days. As you do, you will find it easier to accomplish, and more rewarding too.

Here is the payoff: Our divine brain design offers two-way traffic flow. We can quiet our minds and focus our thoughts – by sensing our bodies in the external world. We can gain clarity to ask for what we need.

I described the exercise in detail. As you gain experience, you will be able to accomplish ‘mindfulness’ in more informal ways, without disrupting your daily activities.

CONCLUSION

When we tune in – we might discover that we sometimes create our own pain, unnecessarily.

It’s not always the events in our lives that cause havoc, it’s how we perceive and interpret them. It’s our responses to events that make the difference.

More instruction from Psalms 46:10:

God says, “… Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

That verse offers an outline on ‘mindfulness’ – for believers.

• Be (Just be. It takes practice, but we can learn to do it, consciously).
• Still (Quiet our ‘busy’ minds, with focus on this moment – right now),
• Know (Become fully aware of what’s going on with us, what we sense in our experience. Know that we are fully within the heart of God).
• He is God. And because He is, we have hope, help, and unconditional, unlimited love for every moment of our lives.
• When we acknowledge and give thanks for those truths – He is exalted.

“… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Blessings, Love, and Laughter to you.

Margaret

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