When you read this, whoever you are and wherever you are right now, I would like you to focus on every word that your eyes see and be here, in the moment. Take three deep breaths.

I’ll wait.

1…Inhale….Exhale

2…Inhale….Exhale

3…Inhale….Exhale.

I hope you’re feeling calmer than a few seconds ago. I hope you’re feeling more present. Congratulations. That was your mindfulness practice of the day!

It’s that easy. Yet, it isn’t.

Why do you need to be mindful every day?

I get it. Being mindful is a task in itself. It requires patience, courage, compassion and acceptance for yourself and for others.

Mindfulness, by definition, is about slowing down, breathing, and observing the present while also accepting every negative thought or scenario, and making yourself come to peace with it all.

Yet, Mindfulness is so much more than that.

“Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.”

— Gautam Buddha

Being mindful comes with a lot of responsibilities. Which is why most people aren’t able to even understand it. Most people are ignorant and lead a selfish life. However, if you are not part of that crowd and are resonating with the words you’re reading, you’re a rare breed. You’re one of those who know that kindness, which comes from mindfulness, is a magical thing that can make this planet a better world.

Your anxieties, panic attacks, stress, loneliness, and feeling aloof — all this can be resolved by practising mindfulness.

Maybe you are already a mindful person. You know how you can help yourself and others by just being in the moment. If you do, then you can stop reading.

But like me, maybe you also need someone to push you towards a better life, even if you know how to do it yourself. Sometimes you feel so far gone that it seems impossible to come back. That’s when an external voice is needed. I hope this is it for you.

Things that helped me become more Mindful

Meditation: Chanting/Breathing/Being in Nature/Sitting in Silence

Art: Reading/Painting/Gardening/Writing/Singing

Movement: Walking/Jogging/Stretching/Yoga

Nutrition: Fruits/Hydration/No Sugar/Multiple Small Meals/ Post Meal Walks/Home-cooked meals

Resting: 7–8 hrs. of quality sleep/ Resting when you feel like/ Getting massages

Community: Spending time with myself, family and partner/ Acts of service for anyone

You must have observed that I have listed the most basic needs of a human being to lead a fulfilling life. But people even struggle with such basic things.

WHY?

The reason that I have understood for it is the outer world chaos that keeps us away from the things that actually matter in each of our lives. I have also been prey to doomscrolling and online shopping, hoarding things I don’t need, and comparing myself to others, being too harsh on myself and others. I have been on the dark side of capitalism, consumerism and pessimism.

Now, I feel I am slowly coming to the other side. The brighter side of life. Not because I stopped doing all of the things I mentioned and changed drastically! It is not that easy, and probably too much if I need to survive in the modern world.

What I did instead was set boundaries. Personal and social.

• I decide how much time and energy I am going to put in every day. That’s how my mind feels in control of everything, hence, no anxious thoughts.
• I value habits over mood. Journaling, Meditation, Walking, Hydration, etc. All of that, I made them habits, like brushing teeth. It took a few failed routines and drowsy days, too. But I kept at it. Now, they’re all part of my everyday.
• Over time, I learned the value of discipline and how it helps us stay grounded.
• Gratefulness came naturally when I observed kindness around me, and when I observed my blessings.

The best boundaries you can set are from the world that has nothing to do with your journey. With mindfulness comes peace of mind, and a contentment of living life just the way you’re supposed to.

Eliminating the elements that don’t serve your growth, that don’t evolve with you, and that trigger you is the first step towards mindfulness.

Let me know in the comments if you have any mindful practice that works for you.

Thanks for reading. Namaste.