How can we practice mindfulness and self-care? I’m often asked about how to develop and keep commitments to a regular meditation practice and other self-care practices.
Mindfulness meditation is the foundation of self-care.
Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation… Audre Lorde
First, it’s important to make time. We won’t ever find the time. We must make the time and ask ourselves what we’re willing to give up in order to make time to practice.
And then we must be aware of our thoughts. There will be days or moments that we don’t want to keep our commitment. The mind will tell us that we’re too busy, too tired and a million other reasons.
Remember that whatever we rest our attention on grows. If we rest our attention on not wanting to do something, the not wanting to do it grows. If we notice the thoughts and the habit of attempting to escape doing what we have a genuine desire to be committed to and then focus our attention on our intentions and the reasons we created those intentions in the first place, then feelings of wanting to follow through sometimes increase and follow through is often easier.
Notice how much time you’re spending dreading anything in your life. What would happen if you gently moved your attention away from dread toward what you really desire in your life?
Practicing mindfulness and self-care can support us in deepening a sense of peace, happiness, and wellbeing. It can lead to an increased sense of contentment and fulfillment in our lives. Mindfulness meditation is at the foundation of a mindful self-care practice, so it’s important that we develop a regular mindfulness practice.
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