As we approach the new year, our focus turns to what we want to change. Whether it’s weight loss, organization, exercise, budgeting…the list is endless and the struggle is real. Change is a part of life. Often, we’re excited to begin at the start and deflated within a short time. Zen Habits offers some insights here about the struggles with change: https://zenhabits.net/mist/.
So, how to change mindfully?
Essentially, begin change with a sense of steadiness (Sthira) and ease (Sukha). This will help us succeed where we struggled before. A great article on Sthira and Sukha can be found here. Sthira and Sukha encourage us to be in a healthy place – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. From this healthy place, effective change happens.
Tips for mindful change – Know where to start
- Make a list of the changes you want to make. Not everything is possible, or even recommended, to tackle at one time. Yet knowing what your heart, mind, and soul are seeking is important. So write it all down. And know that this may take a few days or even a week as the list is organic in nature.
- Once you have your list, get quiet and still with it. Spend time mindfully reflecting on what you’ve written. This means without judgment, attachment, or detachment from the items. Just observe your internal response to the thoughts and feelings related to each item you want to change.
- Refine your list. One or two goals is optimal for successful change with steadiness and ease. Once you settle on the goals, ask yourself why you want to change these particular items. Mindfully meditate on the why and the answer will come.
Next week, we focus on actions that help you begin your changes. Did mindfully approaching your list lead to some ideas? I invite you to share in the comments some items from your list.
Return to Center with mindfulness each week with me with this blog, sign up for more tips on Mindfulness, Yoga, and Meditation, or register for a class here.
Love, Light, Prayers, and Peace!
[…] to mindfully decide what direction to move towards, and the importance of Sthira and Sukha. Click here to see those tips. We focus on next steps to change […]
[…] Hopefully your efforts thus far to approach change are moving you towards your goals. The first week we reviewed the importance of knowing what we want to change, ways to mindfully decide what […]