The real luxuries in life:

health,

a quiet mind,

slow mornings,

ability to travel,

rest without guilt,

a good night’s sleep,

calm and “boring” days,

meaningful conversations,

home-cooked meals,

people you love,

people who love you back

Joy does not arrive with a fanfare
on a red carpet strewn
with the flowers of a perfect life
joy sneaks in
as you pour a cup of coffee
watching the sunlight
hit your favourite tree, just right
and you usher joy away
because you are not ready for her
your house is not as it should be
for such a distinguished guest
but joy cares nothing for your messy home
or your bank-balance, or your waistline, you see
joy is supposed to slither through
the cracks of your imperfect life
that’s how joy works
you cannot truly invite her
you can only be ready when she appears
and hug her with meaning
because in this very moment
joy chose you
Donna Ashworth

Mindfulness is not easy, but it is simple. Hello Readers, just back from my Mindful Exercise, it’s the highlight of my day, every day, and I have my Mindfulness teacher along with me, via the power of my smart phone, guiding me wisely. An insightful and amazing Teacher and if you can get on one of Catherine Sutton’s courses, you will be blessed.

The following paragraph is from an unpublished bolg in January 2016, 9 years ago. The speed of life is frightening sometimes. Remember I spoke of the ‘Fork in the Road‘ well I have only just signed the contract for a new exciting position, starting next Monday 18th. and then off for my first global meeting, on the 20th. All go and stomach knotting just the same. I’m making 2016 my mindful challenge. Then I’ll write about it. On the blog. Got this video clip last night and it’s perfect. You may have seen it already. It’s a brilliant animation that gets to the heart of what mindfulness is about. Mindfulness is not easy, but it’s simple

It doesn’t come naturally, that is why it requires a lot of practice.

Mindfulness, for me, is all about stopping and focusing on my breathing, that in itself, takes a ton of practice as the ever chattering mind intrudes continually. It will take time and practice to learn to focus on your breath, while accepting that the chatter will always be there. The difference, is that over time, you will be able to live with, and acknowledge the chatter without jumping back into its emotional malestrom. You will be noticing what’s happening, while all the while staying with the breath. Mindfulness is a practice for the whole of life. It’s about finding a different way to respond to experience throughout our day.

It isn’t about emptying our mind. Our minds produce thoughts, it’s what they’re built for, and our mind keeps on producing them even if we do happen to be meditating. We can become calm and settled by learning to accept our thoughts, making room for them or letting them go. It is always good to remind ourselves that thoughts are just that… thoughts. No need to dwell on them, fight with them, act on them or try to avoid them with drugs or other distractions.

It isn’t a technique. Mindfulness isn’t something you do. It’s a way of being. It isn’t a way to fix our problems. Mindfulness can help eliminate depression, anxiety, stress or chronic pain, but not by fixing them. We learn to relate in a new way to the things that trouble us, rather than trying to make them go away. Having a mindfulness practice is about re-training our minds so that we can cope with whatever comes our way.

It isn’t scientific. Research into the effects of mindfulness and its impact on the mind and body are impressive. It is helping to bring mindfulness into the mainstream. Science can measure what mindfulness does, but it can’t measure what it is. Measuring mindfulness is a science; practising it is an art that requires presence, awareness, connection and living in the moment.

It isn’t a fad. Our communities are becoming more distracted than ever before. Mindlessness is rampant and there is a growing epidemic of mental suffering. Modern culture seems to be focused on wanting more, getting more and having more. Mindfulness is about being grateful in the moment and is here to stay!

Our warmest and sincerest best wishes to everyone reading this blog for a peaceful, contented and healthy 2025.

And one last thought:

Laziness kills ambition

Anger kills wisdom

Fear kills dreams

Ego kills growth

Jealousy kills peace

Doubt kills confidence

Now read that right to left.”