How Mindful Moments Crush Anxiety
Staying Focused and In the Moment
Figure 1-Limited Resources
It isn't always easy, especially when anxiety pops up. Think of anxiety as a thief—it snatches your precious time and energy, resources you'll never get back. Anxiety disrupts our ability to be present, affecting how we act, feel, and think
The Brain and Creativity
Our brains are like super-powered dream factories. Everything our brilliant intellect ever imagined, from skyscapers to smartphones, we’ve managed to create. But this constant creativity can wear us out, and despite all these cool inventions that are supposed to make us happy, they often leave us feeling more stressed and craving even more. (Figure 2-Manifestation).
Choosing Wisely
It's like being in a candy store having to pick the healthiest snack—not easy, right? With so many choices, it's tempting to chase what we want right now. But here's a simple rule for making choices: always choose with loving kindness (Figure 3-Toolbox for a Joyful Life).
Figure 3-Toolbox for a Joyful Life
This approach doesn't just apply to our interactions with others, but also influences our internal choices about what we focus on—whether we dwell on past regrets or future worries, or if we focus on the present. When we feel this way about ourselves, we are not very anxious.
Making Kind Choices
You might not believe it, but when you make decisions based on loving kindness—for yourself and others—the results are usually great. This aligns with our instincts, intellect, and intuition (Figure 4-Sources of Knowledge):
Instincts help us meet basic needs like safety and hunger.
Intellect helps us figure out what we want, like choosing between going to a movie or doing homework.
Intuition guides us to consider what's best not just for us but for everyone, helping us build strong relationships.
This trio influences our needs (essential for survival), wants (those things that give us immediate pleasure), and desires (deeper goals like meaningful relationships), which in turn shapes our feelings of contentment, happiness, and joyfulness (Figure 5-Satisfactions)
Mindfulness in Action
Mindfulness centers us in the here and now, the only moment where we can actually make changes or take action. It’s about living with intention, fully engaging with our current experiences.
Emily's Story: A Moment of Kindness
Emily, known for her quick temper, once faced a real test: when a younger student knocked her books over. Instead of reacting with anger, she chose kindness, helping the student gather the books while offering a reassuring smile. This small choice made a big impact, fostering kindness and respect within her school.
Practicing Mindfulness
Set Reminders: Use your phone to remind you to check in with yourself every hour. Ask, "What am I doing, feeling, and thinking right now?"
Respond, Don't React: Being aware lets you choose your reaction, leading to more joyful interactions. Remember, acting hastily (F.A.S.T.—fear, anger, sadness, temptation) usually ends badly.
Daily Mindfulness
It's not a once-and-done deal; mindfulness is a daily practice that helps manage stress and enjoy life more. Who wouldn't want that?
Your Mindfulness Goal for the Week
Set a simple, achievable goal like, "I will spend one minute each morning focusing on my breath." At the end of the week, reflect on how it went. Did it make a difference in how you felt?
Next Time You're Overwhelmed
Remember, just pausing to bring yourself back to the moment can cut through the chaos and make your day smoother and more enjoyable.
This guide aims to help you understand and use mindfulness to improve your everyday life, making it less stressful and more fulfilling by connecting your actions, feelings, and thoughts to your deeper needs, wants, and desires.