Mindfulness: Welcoming Sunshine And The Present Moment

Summary

The author shares their personal journey and transformation through the practice of mindfulness, emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment and appreciating the beauty of nature and simple daily activities.

Abstract

The article titled "Mindfulness: Welcoming Sunshine And The Present Moment" is a reflective piece by the author, who finds solace and inspiration in the natural beauty of sunrises, the company of birds, and the changing seasons. The author emphasizes the therapeutic effects of mindfulness and being present, which has helped them manage anxiety, stress, and multitasking. By observing and connecting with the present, the author has noticed a significant improvement in their mental health, reactions, and interactions with others. They advocate for mindful practices such as reading, writing, walking, and listening as tools to focus on what truly matters and to live a happier, more fulfilling life. The article is a testament to how mindfulness can lead to personal growth and a positive outlook on life.

Opinions

The author believes in embracing each day with gratitude and mindfulness, considering it a gift from life.
They consider sunshine as a fuel for the day and values the company of nature, including birds and gardens, as a source of joy.
The author acknowledges the struggles of life but maintains a positive attitude, trusting in life's offerings and finding ways to live better.
Waiting times are seen as opportunities to practice mindfulness rather than sources of anxiety.
Mindfulness has helped the author to become less anxious, more patient, and better at listening and confronting critical conversations.
The author prefers to avoid multitasking, viewing it as a source of anxiety and stress, and instead focuses on single-tasking with full attention.
They attribute their calm and happy demeanor to the practice of mindfulness and meditation, which has taken years to master.
The author is convinced that personal change can lead to a change in how one perceives the world, suggesting that mindfulness practices can alleviate pain and suffering.
They express gratitude to the readers for engaging with their reflections on mindfulness and its impact on their life.

Mindfulness: Welcoming Sunshine And The Present Moment

Photo by Pooja Sharma

A beautiful and bright morning, the constant chirping of birds and red-orange hues in the sky brings another new day.

Photo by Pooja Sharma

Sun appeared and blessed me again. Jacarandas, cockatoos, and greens were also waiting for the Sun. Sunshine is my fuel for the day. I never want to miss a beautiful sunrise and start the day welcoming sunshine.

Such lovely lovely weather, a dawn with drizzles. I am watching the sky colored with sunshine. And it rains, as I think of the day and things to do, and clouds seem to stay for a while. It’s a beautiful day to reflect, connect with the present moment, and be grateful for all that life has gifted so far.

I visit a nearby garden in the morning and evening, where I always find a group of pigeons and cockatoos. They are busy eating seeds or food from the grass, walking, and flying across the trees. A happy day begins with spending a few moments with them.

Photo by Pooja Sharma

Life changes every moment, and it did in the past few months. I struggled but managed so far because I believe in the good life presents for some reason. As we move forward we find ways and courage to live better.

Welcoming the present moment helps. I live mindfulness all through the day. When there is time to wait for the bus or train, when I have to wait for my turn to cook in the shared kitchen, when there is time for a training session to start, or waiting for others to join, I connect with the present moment. And there are many such opportunities all day. Earlier, I used to get anxious or upset with such occurrences. The practice of mindfulness has brought a change: I live more mindful moments than being anxious about small things. And it makes all the difference.

Photo by Pooja Sharma

Pausing and coming back to here and now is therapeutic. All it takes is awareness of yourself and your surroundings.

I do not allow myself to multitask unless there is no other way. Multitasking harms more than it gets things done. I do not want to live with a source of anxiety and stress by doing things in parallel. There are ways to manage time than trying to complete a few things simultaneously.

Focusing on one thing and connecting with the present moment has profoundly impacted my mental health. Nothing makes me angry or anxious easily. I observe and let go. And it is possible because I meditate and remind myself to live this moment. It took a few years of practice to do so effortlessly.

There is a long way to go, to become better at what I do. As I practice mindfulness, I see things and people changing because I have changed. I have become more calm and happy. I listen better. I do not react. I confront critical conversations more mindfully. Nevertheless, things are getting done, given my slow pace and patient attitude. I am sharing these trivial observations because the simple practices of reading, writing, walking, and listening more mindfully have helped me immensely to focus on what matters and live better. It is so true that when we change, the world changes. There are bad days, but mindfulness helps me deal with the undesirable. Mindful practices alleviate the pain and suffering. And the simple way of living that I choose is living in this moment.

Thank you for reading.