Mindfulness or Meditation – Which Helps with Opinions?

I got an opportunity, a big one, to remind myself that another’s opinion of me is just that ,an opinion. It was their opinion of what I had done and what they thought of my doing it. My instant reaction was to feel hurt, this was someone important to me. Then I stopped and looked again. I reminded myself that this happened to bring up some old tired emotions that needed to be loved, accepted, allowed, forgiven, and released. I also saw this as a great reminder that even though the person is important to me, they were merely sharing their opinion of my actions and that’s all. They are not an expert online or offline on me. I am the only expert of me. read...

Need Mindfulness Training? Try cooking!

After much deliberation on what to cook for dinner one night, I finally made the decision to do Osso Buco Milanese. Now many would think that deliberating about what to cook is not that important! However, I’m a foodie and for foodies, it’s important. Ā  It was raining and cold with some sleet. I was wanting some wonderful luscious warmth for dinner. I just needed one of my healthy recipes. While I began to prepare the dish, I realized that most of the time that I am cooking, I’m not having so much mind chatter. I’m concentrating on washing, cutting, measuring, browning, etc. And during all that, I may check the recipe if I happen to be using one and considering whether to alter anything in it. Yet my attention is on the dish I am cooking. It’s a peaceful time, restorative. read...

Mindful Meditation

Where do you spend most of your time? In the past, present or future? When we spend our time in either the past or future, we miss the present. Did you know that our mind can’t think about the present? Our mind can only think about the past or the future so that’s how it keeps us from the present. In order to be in the present, we must learn to still the mind so that we can observe and enjoy the present moment. Mindfulness meditation is a great technique to learn the art of being mindful. Take 15 minutes to walk what normally takes you 30 seconds to walk. You want to do this barefoot. If you do this outside, forget about what others may say or think. This is for you. read...