Happy New Year!  This time of year offers the opportunity for mindful change and to expand our vision on what we might accomplish over the next several months.  Last week, the focus of how to change mindfully kickstarted our discussion. We reviewed the importance of knowing what we want to change, ways 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 mindfully.

What next?

Today, we move to how to begin on the change journey mindfully. Let’s be completely transparent here…change is hard!  Sometimes change is hard because we are attached to certain things.  When we speak to attachment in this sense, we do not mean attachment to the object, person etc.  We mean how we allow the current to hold onto us.  Despite acknowledging change is needed or wanted, we often let fear get in the way and create our own suffering.  I call this sitting in a pile of pooh – like a puppy who only knows his own waste scent and surroundings.  Even though it stinks, it’s familiar, warm, and comforting.  To get up and away from that would cause discomfort and fear. It’s also the path to change.

Puppy and mindfulness

Tips for mindful change – Know how to start

  1. Reflect on your mindfully curated items from last week’s exercise.  Remember, success happens when there are only one or two items to change at a time.  Ask yourself this:  Am I willing to let go of the familiar to make space for the new?  Is attachment getting in my way?
  2. Is resistance rearing it’s head?  If so, sit down and meditate to help increase awareness in the present moment to accept exactly where you are and find peace in change.  Try this meditation from Mindful Movement to see if it resonates with you. 
  3. Remember, we all experience failure as part of change.  Change is a practice much like meditation.  Notice if self-judgment arises as you progress through change.  We are here to learn.  Progress, not perfection.  When self-judgment arises, counter it with gratitude.  A statement of your appreciation for the awareness change is needed, your willingness to explore the possibilities, and your courage on the journey.

Please share below any insights, discoveries, or comments on how change unfolds for you as you do the work to discover how change happens mind, body, and soul. Next week, we focus on momentum to find flow in change.

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!

Alyson Phelan, Certified Mindfulness, Yoga, and Meditation Teacher

Change Mindfully