Mindful Moments

Even if life is hectic right now, you can take a few moments to mindfully connect to your current experience. Allow yourself two minutes, (yes, two minutes), to connect to the thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the body.

Here's how:

Sit or stand in an upright, yet relaxed posture. Close your eyes or adopt a soft gaze while mindfully taking in a couple of breaths. Bring your full attention to the breath. Notice it feels as it enters your nose and as it releases. Take note of the temperature of the breath and listen to the sounds of your own breathing.

Next, bring your attention to your bodily sensations. Scan the body to identify the part that is seeking your attention. Notice any tightness, tingling, discomfort, numbness, or spaciousness. Just observe, don't try to change it. What is your body communicating to you right now?

Finally, shift your attention to your thoughts. Do you notice thoughts that pop in and come back? Just observe them and allow them to float by like clouds moving through the sky. Continue breathing in silence and release whatever isn't serving you.

After a few more mindful breaths, open your eyes and re-orient yourself to your surroundings. If time permits, reflect on how you feel after this mindful moment.

Remember, you can re-create this experience at any point in any day. Allow yourself the gift of the present!