Feel The Wave

Where you begin your personal growth journey.

Tag: Daily mindfulness

  • Pay Attention to Your Life

    Pay Attention to Your Life

    Change “I have to” into “I get to”

    Have you ever taken a day to notice all the little things you do and ask yourself whether they are actually making your life better or worse? We sometimes do things because we feel we have to. But changing our mindset from “I have to” to “I get to” can create a greater sense of gratitude and appreciation.

    Not everyone gets to experience what you experience, so being thankful for these everyday moments can change your perspective.

    We can choose to enjoy our daily tasks. Bring our attention back to the so-called mundane things, like making our morning coffee. Don’t treat it as an obstacle standing between you and the next thing. Make it the thing in that moment.

    This is where you are. Enjoy it.

    Ordinary moments deserve our attention

    Getting the kids ready for their next activity? Be there. Enjoy it. Preparing dinner for the family while the kids are being loud? Be there. Enjoy it.

    These moments won’t be there forever.

    We can’t dismiss these moments. They deserve our attention because they are part of our lives. Preparing your kids for school can be hectic, but it can also teach you patience. It’s time spent with your kids, giving you an opportunity to get to know them a little better.

    The mundane moments aren’t interruptions to our lives. They are our lives.

    Take the time to notice

    Sometimes, we need to slow down and recognize what we are actually doing. We need to pay attention to our surroundings, but more importantly, we need to pay attention to what our day-to-day lives actually look like. Controlling our attention is one of the most important skills we can develop today.

    The amount of attention you devote to these simple, everyday moments matters. We can either rush through them to get to the next thing, or we can slow down and appreciate them for what they are.

    James Clear has written about finding beauty and joy in our daily rituals and how our habits shape our days and, ultimately, our lives.

    Where we place our attention is ultimately where we spend our lives.

    Our lives aren’t only the vacations, celebrations, and big accomplishments. They’re also making dinner, getting the kids ready, walking the dog, and cleaning the house.

    Any moment, big or small, is part of our lives.

    Pay attention to all of them.

    Take care.

  • Reset Your Mind: How to Find Calm in a Chaotic World

    The world is moving fast, and with the entire globe at our fingertips, we have enough information to keep us occupied for a lifetime. As long as our devices are charged and we have an internet connection, we barely need to move—aside from eating or using the washroom. Our minds feel satisfied just by staying connected, requiring no physical activity at all. The evolutionary goal of conserving energy has worked its magic—we’ve succeeded by the standards of the animal kingdom. Game, set, match.

    Yet, depression rates—particularly in the U.S.—have steadily increased over the past few decades, with a noticeable spike in recent years. Despite knowing more about mental health than ever before, we seem to suffer more. Perhaps this is due to improved diagnostic practices, or maybe we’re truly facing a mental health crisis. The constant barrage of information from our phones, paired with the pressure to stay busy and prove we’re “keeping up with the Joneses,” undoubtedly takes a toll. Our minds need rest—not just during sleep, but throughout the day. The brain can’t operate in overdrive all day and expect sleep to sort out the mess.

    Throughout the day, take a moment to breathe. Step away from the screen. Inhale through your nose for a count of four, hold for four, then exhale through your mouth for another four. How did that feel? The power of just 12 seconds of focused breathing is incredible. Tuning into something as automatic as breathing can reset and re-energize the mind.

    As Marc Champagne puts it in the book Personal Socrates:

    “Sometimes we just need to reset our mind. Think of this reset in the same light as restarting your phone or computer after days, weeks, or months of operating. Too many programs and tasks are running at the same time. Hit restart and take on the challenge with a fresh mind.” (p.228)

    Go for a walk without earbuds or find a quiet spot in your home—no phone, no distractions. Even better, go outside where you can breathe in the fresh air. Sit at a park and watch the trees sway. Head to the beach and gaze at the horizon. Watch birds flying through the sky. Take the time to truly observe the world around you. It’s the simple things in life that bring us back to the present. They remind us that life doesn’t need to be so complicated. But we have to choose to notice—and that begins with resetting the mind.

    Make sure you have moments in your day to pause and breathe. You’ll feel much better when your head finally hits the pillow.

    Take care.