What is mindfulness? Part two of three
I reference this book not only because it is excellent, but also because I have a personal affinity to it. It was a book I first read back in 1989, and it changed my life. It was the first time to read about being able to change life by changing though patterns. I mention it was the first time I read it because I have read it several times since. Truth be told, I did not exactly like it on the first read. Even at the age of 23 years old, my brain had become programmed to be skeptical of anything that was not tangible. However, over time and a more reading, I came to realize that a person’s life can indeed be transformed by how they perceive things and what they fill their minds with.
Many have realized that the teachings of Dr. Murphy and many others can be life changing, but like anything else, it takes practice, time and dedication. No one has ever purchased a gym membership and after one or two visits achieved the desired results. Like any muscle, which to grow in strength requires consistent exercise and proper dietary components, transforming our thought patterns in order to transform our lives is a process. Researchers of the mind write of everyday people becoming happier and healthier just by committing to a plan that may take as little as a few minutes to themselves, several times a day, to be mindful. Creating your own affirmation, and repeating with belief several times a day is a great starting point. The key is replacing fears and negative thoughts with positivity. It can be as simple as, “today and every day, I meet my obligations with peace, calm and joy in my heart.” The important thing is creating your own words to align with what you desire. Again to quote Dr. Murphy, “change your thoughts and you change your destiny.”
In the next article, let’s tackle the question of “What is mindfulness?”.
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.” ~Buddha
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." The Bible, Philippians 4:8
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. – The Bible, Proverbs 17:22
Join us next week for part three of Mindfulness.