Last weekend, I was making my bed. This is a daily ritual I try not to skip because it helps organize my thoughts to look upon a well-made bed. However on this day, my mind was wandering and immersed in angry thoughts. Someone had ticked me off and I was listing in my head all the ways they were unfair to me. About halfway through my bed-making process, a lightning bolt of awareness zapped me.
There was no one else in the room but me.
No one was being unfair to me. No one was being rude. No one was plotting against me in any way, shape, or form.
It was just me and some darn throw pillows.
Super cute ones, but still.
Just me.
And the pillows.
My point is, if someone hurt us and they aren't in the room, we can choose to focus our attention and energy elsewhere. First, we have to notice when we are caught in the net of negative thinking.
Choose one daily activity and commit to being fully present for it. It is helpful to notice visual details like color or patterns, maybe the noise involved like the sound of the water rushing as you brush your teeth, or maybe it's the texture of the pillow you place with loving intention that your dog will probably still knock off the bed minutes later, but go ahead, place that pillow. Find some joy in those bohemian tassels.
Mindful living begins and ends with us.
It's simple in theory but harder to implement. That's why starting with a task you do each day is, well,...a start.
Then peace can flow into more of your present moments no matter what has happened to you in the past.
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