I was just talking today to Maria Schonder, a Natural Chef and Nutrition Educator, owner of Love Your Food, Love Yourself, Love Your Life. We were talking about the importance of mindfulness. To be mindful, you need to be really present with whatever you’re doing.
If you’re mindfully eating, it means that you’re eating slowly and with complete awareness of each bite that you take. You’re savoring the appearance, taste, and texture of the food. Your experience of eating in this way is very different from eating while you’re watching television, or while you’re at your desk at work, or while standing at your kitchen counter, ready to rush out the door.
With our fast-paced life, and our focus on multitasking, we seldom have our full attention on anything that we’re doing. This can lead to increased stress, and decreased enjoyment. I understand why we do it. We want to be productive. There’s a lot of pressure on us to do more than one thing at a time. We get used to splitting our attention and our actions. It comes at a price, though.
We all need to think about the impact of multitasking, rather than immersing ourselves in each moment and each activity. We’re missing out on a lot of quality time, and a lot of satisfaction that comes from a more singular focus.
How often are you truly mindful in your daily life? It would be pretty difficult to live mindfully every minute of the day, but we can begin to take small steps toward increased mindfulness. The next time when you’re ready to eat, don’t turn on the t.v., and don’t pick up a book — just really see what you’re eating, fully taste each bite with your mind focused on it. It’s a very different experience, and a good place to start living more mindfully.
What ideas can you come up with? Where can you start? How can you celebrate the moments of your life more mindfully? I’d really like to know!
Until next time,
Linda
Good food for thought! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) The best and most basic thing I can do in regards to mindful eating is to eat sitting down. That is step one.
I’m such a believer in little steps, Amy! I used food as an example, but being mindful can improve all areas of our lives.
Linda
Linda, the idea of mindfulness is so important. Your article is yet another reminder to be more aware. I need reminders. Thx
I’m glad that is was a helpful reminder, Cindy. I think we all need reminders — including me. We get caught up in the busyness of life, and we tend to forget to really be aware of those important moments, as they slip by. I believe very much in the value of mindfulness, so ever so often, I’ll write a post on it.
Linda
Thanks for the important reminder to live in the moment and be mindful about the task at hand. it really is all that matters in that moment 😉
You’re so welcome, Michelle! All we really have is this moment, so we don’t want to not be present for it. Our moments come and go, whether we’re aware of them or not. But we enjoy them so much more when we’re aware!
Linda
What an excellent reminder that we need to slow down and savor every bite of food, and life in general.
Thank you, Calla! Reminders help all of us to refocus on really being in the moment, and being mindful of how we’re spending that precious moment.
Linda
Thanks for the reminder! Consider me taking one more step towards being more mindful. 🙂
That’s great, Patricia! Thanks for letting me know that you’re ready to move forward in being more mindful.
Linda