2/24/2014

Took a walk, blew my mind.

Definition of mindfulness: 1. a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique. [Google]

2. a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience [Psychology Today]


I. Went for a walk...

In a mindfulness practice, I left my phone at home and went for a walk around my block yesterday (Sunday). It was a beautiful afternoon, cloudy, kinda wet with the morning rain.

I would normally post a picture here, but I didn't take any pictures during this walk.

I wanted to get away from any texts, snapchats, or phone notifications. I felt the warmth of the sun, smelled the (swampy) air, and enjoyed the variety of houses and cars on my block. Colorful. Overall, it cost me a few minutes, which I did not mind investing.

Even though I feel busy all the time with my teaching work, I figure a few minutes of walking wouldn't hurt. And besides, most people FEEL more busy than they actually are. See: Students who play all the time and complain about being busy. HAHAHAHA.

After the walk, I felt a lift in my mood, energy, and mental clarity. I did my laundry, cleaned my room, and made a cherry-mango smoothie. I was getting it all done with deliberate attention on the moment and experience. That mindful type of attention made even the most menial of tasks more enjoyable.

I don't remember who put me on the tip of mindfulness and being extra present, in the moment, but I OWE them! Awesome people... probably Helene or Mi.

II. Then did some research...

So I'm thinking a lot of us could use mindfulness exercises. It would probably benefit our lives. After getting some things done, I started reading about all these benefits to having mindfulness (well-being, lowered blood pressure, savor more pleasure, etc.), and thinking my STUDENTS would benefit from this. They need it more than I do. These are some articles I found on the subject...

PsychologyToday: The Art of Now: 6 Steps to Living in the Moment
HelpGuide.com/Harvard: Benefits of Mindfulness
Reader's Digest: 10 Steps to Mindfulness

And, Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now is a seminal work on the topic.

III. In Conclusion, ...

As a teacher, (not trynna hate, but) I see an appalling LACK of mindfulness in today's students, the majority having to constantly check their phones for texts and instagram updates, resulting in a distracted mental state, not suited for robust learning to take place. So it's apparent to me that I can't just teach math lessons; I have to show these students how to be attentive, conscious, and adopt the habits of more productive students. To FOCUS!

I'm trynna teach these kids math, but they don't even know how to harness their energy or concentrate!
BUT if you learn to focus, harness, and concentrate your energy, it's one of the most powerful things you can do for your life.

Potential unbounded!

There seems to be a push toward teaching mindfulness in schools.
See: http://mindfulnessinschools.org/ -
Their tagline: Mindfulness in Schools: For the flourishing of young minds

And here's a recent article, dated January 17th, 2014: Low-Income Schools See Big Benefits in Teaching Mindfulness


Such recent interest in the topic tells me I'm not the only on this tip at the moment. I bet it's trending. #Post2012