[Day 10] Unplug

A few years ago I decided to give up my iPhone because I hoped it would help me unplug. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, texts, emails, calls, we are plugged in a lot. It didn't really help, because even though my phone was gone, I still felt I had to be on call and stay in control of all incoming messages - at all times.

When I worked corporate we had a 24 hour reply policy. Which was fine and in some cases we could wait 3-4 days to give the best respons possible. It doesn't seem to be acceptable anymore. Facebook rats us out. We read a message and it tells the sender that we have seen it. If we don't reply it seems weird and we get follow up messages like "are you there". Have you experienced similar situations? We have to be quick on our feet.

Sometimes I have received a business proposal and answered back the next day only to get a reply saying they found someone else, and there are loads of examples.

For me getting rid of my phone, deleting apps etc. didn't help. I needed to allow myself to go offline and let people know what to expect from me. And I just can't be everywhere, with a quick reply - all of the time. Maybe you don't find it as stressful as I do, which is great. No matter how you feel about being plugged in, I can't wait to hear what being unplugged brings up for you.

PS. Try to do it during hours where you normally would be on your computer or phone.

Now IN A FEW HOURS write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

1. Add the URL  http://www.mindfulground.com/day-10-unplug/ as a TrackBack link

2. Add a comment below with a few words about your post with a link to the blogpost

[Day 8] Look up!

  Meditation and mindfulness training are often linked to the image of a person sitting with her eyes closed, focused and alert (and most of the time amazingly gorgeous).

But what if it also included looking up and really noticing what’s right there in front of us. How often do we investigate and take that in? It can be a good practice to see what is going outside of ourselves and how we relate to it. Do we see with an open mind, or seewhat we think we see.

There are clearly many reasons why we as adults don’t always look up with curiosity. We are in a hurry, stressed, tired, worried or we've been in the same spot so many times we rely on KNOWING instead of seeing.

One thing a teacher of mine brought up that hit home for me was - remember to be curious. When I look at my children and people that are playful in life they are curious about themselves, life, objects and whatever they stumble upon on their way. I have always admired that ability, since it seemed to fade in my life.

Looking up can be taken very literal - what is in front of you. wall, trees, cue, window etc. You can also take it one step deeper with your partner, children, colleagues. Who is this in front of me? What do they look like today? What are they saying? How does it feel to be here with them? Taking in what we see with curiosity and open eyes.

Make it a habit several times today to look up . Up at the sky, rooftops, birds or tree tops. What do you see? Do you see something new? If you are somewhere that feels sort routineish how does it feel to look around and observe. Let your eyes wander around - curious and open.

You can remind yourself by writing a post it or note that says " look up". Or set your a reminder on your phone.

What do you notice?

Now write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

1. Add the URL  http://www.mindfulground.com/day-8-look-up/ as a TrackBack link

2. Add a comment below with a few words about your post with a link to the blogpost

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Click to tweet: Look up what do you see? via @mindfulground 's Mindful Living blog challenge #awareness #life #openess http://tinyurl.com/oc5mzns

[Day 7] Enjoy a cup

There is no doubt that being TOO busy is an issue in a lot of people's lives - including my own. As for finding time to meditate, well probably you won't the find time, you'll need to take it. Letting mindful living into others parts in important.

For me bringing awareness and mindfulness practice into my daily activities is just as big for me as my formal practice (meditation). If being mindful left me when I leave the cushion, then maybe there wouldn't be that much of a point.

Something I really enjoy doing is setting aside time to drink a cup of tea or coffee and allowing that to be part of my practice that day. Most of us drink tea or coffee (or water etc.) and if you're like me, you "down it" while sitting at the computer, Tv, chatting on the phone or reading.

This is an excellent chance to show up where you are, practice being mindful and enjoying what you are doing - while you are doing it.

Now write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

1. Add the URL http://www.mindfulground.com/day-7-tea-meditation as a TrackBack link

2. Add a comment below with a few words about your post with a link to the blogpost

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Click to tweet: Tea meditation today via @mindfulground Bringing mindfulness into daily activities #tea #mindful http://tinyurl.com/npdbx2q

Recommended reading

Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world

By Mark Williams

[Day 6] - What are you grateful for?

We often look at what we aren't good at, what needs to change and how we can improve. Seldom do we shout from the roof tops what we are good at and what we are grateful for in our lives. Somethings might be a given. Other things we may forget to truly enjoy.

Being Mindful is showing up for life as it is, and this includes joy, happiness, celebration and gratitude. Do you remember to enjoy life? Do you allow yourself to celebrate your qualities and successes?

Even in the darkest times of our lives, there is still "good" to be discovered and be grateful for. Acknowledging those times and things in our lives can support of us to remember to enjoy.

When stressed or in a hurry we may not be as sensible to the signals to slow down, but are we in such a hurry we also forget to breathe in the wonderful things in life?

I AM GRATEFUL for all of your posts, sharing, insights and openness.

Now write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

1. Add the URL  http://www.mindfulground.com/day-6-i-am-grateful/ as a TrackBack link

2. Add a comment below with a few words about your post with a link to the blogpost

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Click here to tweet: Noting what I am grateful for via @mindfulground what are you grateful for in your life? #gratitude #mindful http://tinyurl.com/o3fgtlo

Recommended reading

Gratitude: A Way Of Life

By Louise Hay

[Day 5] with Belinda Pate-Macdonald

Who is in control of your life?

Now, this is a thought-provoking question.  We’ve been told by the media and other people that we need to take control, be in the drivers seat and take charge.  But, there’s a huge difference between making choices in your life based on trying to stay in control, and making inspired decisions based on empowerment and love.

One depicts a struggle, the other an openness and flow.  Control stagnates, flowing creates.

Ideally the answer to this question is “no-one is in control of your life”.  When you align yourself with your heart, to manifest a life you love, it’s really important to understand that Love doesn’t control.

Making a commitment to stay in your heart centre and to respond to life from a connected, universal perspective, aligns you with Divine Grace.  You are then guided by your heart’s truth in any given moment.  You understand that everything you create is connected to the whole and for everyone’s benefit.

This is empowering, inspiring and highly creative.  As you release control, and all the fear that is attached to that, you welcome an even greater vision and wisdom, and truly become the “author of your own life”.

Now write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

1. Add the URL http://www.mindfulground.com/30-day-living-mindfully-blog-challenge-day-3-belinda-pate-macdonald/ as a TrackBack link

2. Add a comment below with a few words about your post with a link to the blogpost

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Click to tweet: Contemplating control with @mindfulground 's 30 Day Living Mindfully Blog Challenge. You can still join http://tinyurl.com/nxcwjqk

About Belinda Pate-Macdonald

Belinda is a consciousness illuminator who helps you breathe Love and renewal into your life.  She is renowned for her gift of seeing your Essence and helping you to connect with your true purpose.

Through her work as a heart-centered speaker, spiritual counselor, healer and writer, Belinda creates deeply healing, sacred spaces that inspire and transform.  Over the years she has helped thousands to discover their own unique and amazing gifts.

http://www.hummingbirdhealing.com.au

http://www.facebook.com/hummingbirdhealing