Introduction

Throughout my lessons, I talk about Mindfulness and Self-Reflection.  Before digging into what it means to be mindful, I always thought of mindfulness as something yogis did.  It always seemed to me that mindfulness was reserved for the enlightened.  I have worried that those who hear me talk about mindfulness will think I’m talking about being spiritual or trying to talk about doing yoga correctly. If you believe that, please give me a chance to explain what I mean when discussing mindfulness and self-reflection.  

The more I understood what it means to be mindful, the more I understood the power of it and how important the practice is to making progress in your life.  

I would like to take some time to explain what I mean when I say “be mindful,” how it helps you gain strength through your struggles, techniques for practicing mindfulness and self-reflection, and how to develop coping skills through self-reflection. 

Mindfulness refers to the practice of being present and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. It involves paying attention to the present moment, observing your thoughts and emotions without reacting to them, and staying focused on the current experience.

Self-reflection, on the other hand, involves examining your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to gain insight and understanding about oneself. It involves taking a step back and objectively analyzing your thoughts, feelings, and actions to identify patterns, strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

Both mindfulness and self-reflection are important practices that can help individuals develop self-awareness, manage stress and anxiety, and improve their overall well-being. By being mindful, individuals can learn to regulate their emotions and respond to situations in a more thoughtful and deliberate manner. Self-reflection can help individuals identify areas for personal growth and gain a deeper understanding of their values, beliefs, and goals.

The Power of Mindfulness and

Gaining Strength Through Struggles

Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help us gain strength through struggles. When we are going through difficult times, it is easy to get caught up in our negative thoughts and emotions. We may feel overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious, and these feelings can make it difficult to stay positive and find a way forward.

However, mindfulness can help us to step back from our thoughts and emotions and observe them from a more objective perspective. This can help us to gain a greater sense of clarity and perspective, which can in turn help us to find solutions to our problems and move forward with greater confidence and resilience.

One way to practice mindfulness is through present awareness. Being presently aware involves focusing on the present moment, without judgment or distraction. By doing so, we can train our minds to be more present and focused, which can help us to better cope with difficult emotions and situations.

In addition to being purposefully aware, there are many other ways to practice mindfulness in our daily lives. For example, we can try to stay present and focused during daily tasks, such as washing dishes or walking the dog. We can also practice mindfulness by being more aware of our thoughts and emotions, and by taking the time to reflect on our experiences and learn from them.

Ultimately, the power of mindfulness lies in its ability to help us stay grounded and focused, even in the midst of difficult times. By cultivating a greater sense of awareness and presence, we can build the strength and resilience we need to overcome life's challenges and thrive in the face of adversity.

One example of a person who has used the power of mindfulness to gain strength through struggles is the musician and actor, Jared Let