People often ask about how they can bring mindfulness into their daily lives ‘off the couch” so to speak. I typically give examples about how mindfulness training and skills can help one maneuver through the often high stress work world and family life. And I firmly believe that that they can.
But today, while I was cross-country skiing in Upstate New York, I became acutely aware how my mindfulness practice heightened and enlivened my skiing experience, while also helping me to stay safely upright on my skis.
When I started the day, my mind was still feeling a bit frenzied after a very busy and stressful work week. I knew I had to let go and focus on my skiing because I had not cross-country skied for several years. I took a deep breath, brought my focus to the sensations of my body- feet planted in the boots, hands on the poles and breath moving through my body. I grounded myself in the present moment. After a bit of a shaky start, I began to get into a gentle rhythm as my legs and arms began to move in unison. I felt the contrasting sensations of warmth and cool as both the sun and wind touched my face. I heard the gentle sound of the breeze. My mind began to calm and my spirit soared as I tuned into the physical sensations and sounds of moving through snow while observing the magnificent winter landscape.
When my mind moved away from the present to worries about the future and ruminations about this past stressful week, I “woke up’ and redirected my attention to the beauty around me and my body sensations. I continued to do that every time my mind got pulled away. This is mindfulness in action- being awake in the present moment, so we can truly experience what it means to be alive.
Is there something you are not fully experiencing because you are frequently ruminating about the past or worrying about the future? What would it feel like to take a deep breath and redirect your attention to the present moment in all of its richness? What might change for you? You can start with a few minutes a day and see how it goes.