Our world is about go. Rush rush and more rush. Be productive. Seize the day. Make the most out of your day. Hey, it’s Shaun here on the Dóchas blog, here to give you some tips on practicing mindfulness. I’m willing to believe that for many of us, the first thought that wakes us up in the morning is the thought of how much work there is to do or what we have to get accomplished. And the last thought we have in the day is how much work I didn’t accomplish and how much is waiting for me tomorrow. Sound familiar? If this is you, and you’re reading this, I have a hard truth that’s difficult to actually accomplish.
Slow down.
Not just slow down, smell the flowers. Show up late to work. But there is another phrase that our culture throws around these days.
Be mindful.
What does it mean to be mindful?
Practicing mindfulness is so much more than meditating in silence. It is so much more than distancing ourselves from the demands and distractions of the world. Let me ask a bold question. Why do we crave that moment on vacation where we are finally present, and our breathing deepens? Why do we longingly search for a space in our lives where we can be in the moment? Why do we end up at the end of most of our work days, highly caffeinated and dream-deficient?
Perhaps it’s time to be more intentional about where we spend our mental energy. Practicing mindfulness offers that. I’d like to offer this to you from a recent experience of practicing mindfulness. It’s from my own experience in seeking out a better sense of mental health.
This moment is profound. It is significant. I’m not doing anything.
I am sprawled in a recliner, twenty feet from the ocean. This is the extent of my activity.
Submerged in the sunshine, I contemplate life and the panorama before me. I can see surging breakers rolling over an azure ocean. Some waves crash in the sun-drenched waters; others roll onwards through deep shrouds of blue. A few of them timidly cling to the horizon, silent flashes of possibility. The rest of the waves vigorously introduce themselves as crashes and shushes on the shoreline. From my recliner, looking out at the ocean, I can see everything. When we’re in the water, the experience is vastly different.
In the water, you feel the pull of the waves. Each wave transforms into an adventure or a challenge for you to overcome. The crashing of the water is no longer a gentle, white foam. Instead, each wave becomes a brusque interruption of thunderous chaos – sand, salt, and grit beating against your body. The perspective is not academic. It’s immediate, visceral. In the water, you can’t see the following waves. All you can see is the next one coming right at you.
I tend to live in thunderous chaos. This is my default mode of doing life.
Defaulting to expectations
A trusted friend once told me, “Life is drudgery. It’s about putting your nose to the grindstone and getting through it.”
My reality is this: I often awake to expectations. It’s not all bad and dreary, but my objective list frequently warms up before my shower does. My day is planned before I wake up. I just check in. And if I’m honest, there have been times when my daily schedule has been less about enjoying the ocean and more about finding my footing.
Waves—troubles, worries, hard situations—impact, one after another, on our soft souls. Meet this deadline! Crash! Get the kids to soccer! Crash! Get a new job, find time for your spouse, make new friends, and make a life-altering decision—crash, crash, CRASH! It’s easy to become a walking function. Drudgery has become my reality more often than I care to admit.
Wandering away from the wonder
How’s the view in your life? Are you riding an exciting wave or barely holding up against the undertow? Perhaps you’ve stood strong against the waves for weeks, months, or even years at a time. Or maybe there are moments where a question begins to surface as the waves thunder:
Where has the wonder of life gone?
Do you remember those times when you were excited to live in the moment? Where owning a house wasn’t about remodelling the bedroom, but it was about being in your own house? Do you remember when going to the beach was all about throwing rocks for a few hours? Think back. Can you remember the days of wonder?
Stuffing in a shirt
We use this phrase around our house—stuffing in a shirt. It refers to life situations when it doesn’t matter who is doing the task; all that matters is that the task gets done. In those moments, I’m not me. I’m just a person pouring cereal or changing a diaper, or going to work. It’s like I’m not even there. Have you ever walked through days like this? Have you had moments when you feel like you lose yourself in the functions of life?
I believe the key phrase that we are searching for here is being present and mindful. Take the moments to slow down and to remember. Take the time to experience and breathe. Take the time to be present in your own life. Incorporate practicing mindfulness into your daily routine.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed due to life’s demands, know that you don’t have to cope with this on your own. I encourage you to reach out and ask us how we can help. You can contact us here by calling us at 780-446-0300 or emailing us at info@dochaspsychologicalservices.com.
About Dóchas Psychological
Dóchas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dóchas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.
Disclaimer
Information provided through Dóchas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs is meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.
