How to Use Mindfulness to Achieve Your Intentions in 2020
Mindfulness is paying attention in the present moment without holding onto any judgment of the situation or any feelings that may arise. Mindful meditations are a popular way of practicing this moment to moment awareness and most people associate the benefits on quite a basic level, with attention training and learning to regulate ones’ emotions. This already creates very positive benefits, there is however so much more benefit if we learn and practice more about the mind brain and awareness.
Daniel J Siegel speaks about a mindful brain and how mindfulness actually gives rise to certain changes in the way we use the brain and how long term this creates structural changes towards health. Neurons in the brain are intimately connected to everything that goes on beneath the brain, the extended nervous system which includes muscles, skin, visceral organs etc.
A mindful awareness harnesses the nervous system in ways that will improve your physical and mental state, your relationships and create deeper meaning and well- being in your life.
Life is rough. We face challenges daily in many different ways which we cannot control. We can however learn to lessen our suffering by living with a mindful brain in every moment of our lives.
Judgment of yourself or what is causing your suffering clouds your awareness. If you can let go of judgment you will be making space for kindness and compassion. In a mindful state of being where you have let go of judgment, rather than acting in a “fight or flight” brain state, you will be able to focus on moving forward or dealing with situations in a positive and constructive way facing the inevitable pain or hardship without more self-created pain and suffering.
Siegel speaks about how mindfulness brings:
Curiosity about what is.
Openness to what is without judgment about how it should be.
Accepting that this is what is right now.
Love - a tender-hearted kindness to yourself.
Mindfulness is going to be my number one intention for 2020.
I’ll share a few of the areas of my life that I hope to improve and gain more fulfilment in. All of these things will be vastly improved if I practice mindfulness daily in all that I do.
Parenting
I have seen - as a simple example that many of you would be able to relate to, how my parenting is so much healthier if I become mindful. If I step back when there is some kind of melt down, breathe and observe with curiosity to figure out what is really going on within myself in reaction to what’s happening and what is actually going on with my child. Then I can accept that the scenario needs something different and often together with kindness towards one another we can both find a way of handling the situation in a healthier way which in turn takes away the suffering we are both feeling and creates a happier desired outcome. The same approach will work for any other relationships and result in a much deeper and fulfilling connection to the people in your life.
Fitness
I want to improve my strength and fitness this year after 3 years of recovering from major hip surgery in both my hips. My challenge here is also mindfulness. My brain is more hardwired to push myself the minute I feel a little stronger and inevitably I push too hard, hurting myself. My body then inevitably flares up with pain and inflammation forcing me to rest again. If I manage to be mindful in my training program, listening and observing the way I feel physically and mentally then I am far more likely to achieve so much more and stop the self-induced and unnecessary suffering created by not being mindful in the first place.
Finances
Intentions to feel deserving of financial abundance is another good one to touch on as that is definitely something we can all relate to. This is where judgment is rife. The words we speak to ourselves are often along the lines of not being good enough, not being smart enough, not being worthy on some level. We tell ourselves we are a failure if we are not as successful as others might be. All of the negative messages we give ourselves block success because it will make us close down. By not being positive and kind to ourselves we also don’t allow any of that energy to flow into our lives blocking any opportunities and possibilities that might come along. By judging what should be or how it should be we are not open and accepting and curious to what is all around us and that is where we will miss the abundance that is there waiting for us.
Sleep
I also intend to have a year of much better sleep. I have tried so many different approaches some of which work and some that don’t. Far rather than relying on anything external I intend to let go of any stress related to sleep and find that state of being where my extended nervous system is healthy and sleep will become something I look forward to. Calming evening routines without screens, cutting back on caffeine and meditation using our sleep and meditation music videos are some of the methods I’m going to try.
I hope that you will all be inspired to go through your intended desires for 2020 and together we can begin changing the way our brains are firing creating structural changes long term to live in a Mindful healthier state of being.
I wish you improvement in your physical and mental life, your relationships and to feel a sense of coherence and deep meaning in your life.
Love, Margie.