At times, I find it quite difficult to live in the moment. My mind wanders on to other priorities and I can’t focus on the present. In these times when I want to be present, it is helpful to perform some mindfulness exercises. This centers me and enables me to be in the moment.
Mindfulness is a practice of deliberately focusing one’s attention on the moment. It is also known as grounding. When your mind is swirling it enables one to be present and still. By becoming more self aware, one can become attuned to their thought life, emotions, and sensations. In this time, it is important to not assign a negative or positive belief to what one is thinking or feeling, but simply name it and experience it. I like to imagine myself floating in an ocean and my anxieties or intrusive thoughts just floating away from me. I simply acknowledge that they are there but do not let them weigh me down. I imagine placing them in God’s hands and trust and know that He is big enough to handle them.
Another way I practice mindfulness when my mind is going a million miles a minute is by taking a deep breath, holding it and then slowly letting it out. I then at times try and think of a song or a verse that has brought me comfort. This enables me to slow down my mind and refocus on something positive.
Practices like these are so important when it comes to self care. As a nurse I need to practice self care daily to prevent burn out. Whether it’s taking a bath, tuning out in front of the TV, spending time with family and friends, meditating on scripture, or doing a piece of artwork, self care keeps me in tune with myself and the world around me. Jesus took time for self care too. He would seclude himself, and go away and commune with His Father, or just spend time with his disciples. Examples of when Jesus would go away by himself are Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46-47, John 6:15, and Luke 6:12. Obviously Jesus found it important to make time for just him and God and his friends. So I challenge you to take some time to practice mindfulness or self care. Observe how it makes you feel and see if you want to make time for it more often.
About the Author
Mollie is recently married to her wonderful husband Dustin. She is a Wound Care RN at McKenzie Willamette Hospital. She enjoys being creative, getting outdoors and spending time with friends and family.