Tripping On Mindfulness

One of the ironies of mindfulness is that it's still possible to be forgetful, klutzy, or even distracted while doing our best to pay attention.

Why? We are choosing where to focus and so there are, by necessity, bits of information that aren't getting the full laser treatment. It's simply not possible to be mindful of everything all at once.

That's the beauty of it.

You can shine your mental high beams on, say, fully connecting with every person you talk to today. While being very aware of your interactions with others, you might trip on the edge of the carpet.

Clumsy and mindful may seem like strange bedfellows, but they are intimate nonetheless.

True story: I know a reference librarian who was in the habit of reading while walking. One day, she was walking the two blocks to her house during her lunch break while reading a new book. She was so completely focused on the words she was reading that she tripped on the sidewalk, landing in a heap right there on Ash Street.

Fortunately, this happened in front of the fire station, and the paramedics came to her aid immediately. Unfortunately, in addition to her badly-bruised ego, she broke not one but both arms.

The book she was reading? "Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder"

You can't make up this stuff!

Mindfulness doesn't lend itself to multitasking-- especially when we need to watch where we're going. One-track mindfulness is ideal, but two tracks can work if one of them involves repetitive physical activity. Breathing, washing dishes, eating, walking, sweeping, swimming? Perfect. Tack on another--like reading--and you'll end up stumbling, too.

Even if you've never done a faceplant on concrete, chances are you've developed your own quirky mental editing tricks. We choose our targets based on what we decide at that moment is most meaningful.

Your son might be totally immersed in playing the guitar and forget all about his math homework. Your friend might get caught up in a woodworking project and forget to call you back. You might get so absorbed in a conversation with someone at the grocery store that you forget to buy the bread that was the reason for your trip.

Mindfulness helps us pay attention, but it doesn't make us perfect. And that's perfect! It shows us our imperfections while helping us become less judgmental about them. A hefty sense of humor helps.

Use mindfulness to help you "step back" before tripping--on the stories in your head, the swirl of emotions you feel, and the chaos of your life. Develop the mental agility to step back, step into and step out of your chosen focus.

You might remain klutzy. You may forget to buy bread. But you won't end up tripping over what matters most.

About The Author

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse offering specialized mindfulness training in Portland, Oregon. Trained in conflict resolution, she uses her 25-year meditation practice and plenty of humor to teach real-world techniques for paying attention to what matters most. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, visit http://www.MindMasseuse.com.

maya@mindmasseuse.com

---

Mind the Gap

The underground train in London can get you anywhere when... Read More

Empowering Vision

Playing Our Part:Sir Michael Costa was conducting a rehearsal, in... Read More

One BIG Way To Increase Your Values and Self-Esteem

One hour here, two hours there, even fifteen minutes, it... Read More

You Have A Choice

I'm a relationship coach and, unlike most, I deal with... Read More

Your Silent Voice of Experience

"I can't wait!" she exclaimed over the phone. The anticipation... Read More

How to Get a Grip on Your Money

Most people have no idea where their money goes. They... Read More

Secrets of Creating Interpersonal Power

If you work with people, as a company owner, manager... Read More

How Not Letting Go of Your Past can Hurt Your Future

Experiences, whether good or bad, are sometimes all we have,... Read More

Online Counseling - a Timely Happenstance

Online counseling may be the latest and greatest improvement in... Read More

Mentors and Coaches: How to Be a Great Mentee or Learner

When you invest your time in being a mentee you... Read More

Do You Need a Performance Coach?

In today's fast paced world, we are often confronted with... Read More

A Fresh Look at the Choices We Make

We are frequently held back from making future plans or... Read More

Automatic Brain Works Overtime For You

Use all of your brain to be your most effective."Running... Read More

Great Advice

It never ceases to amaze me that every time I... Read More

Coaching Employees - The Chronic Excuser

Most of us find coaching employees to be an effective,... Read More

Coaching Can Help Teachers At A Crossroads In Their Careers

Teachers enter the profession with the desire to help others,... Read More

The $10,000,000.00 Question

When I asked my client, Amanda, what she would do... Read More

5 Steps to Derail Difficult People - Your Surefire Way to a Peaceful Resolution

That one guy at work that always has to be... Read More

Listening Skills In Relationships

Recently, when out to dinner with another couple, my husband... Read More

What I Would Include In A Coaching Book

A coach is an essential figure in providing direction and... Read More

A Sure-Fire, 10-Step Formula To Get Started As A Coach Or Consultant

"My guess is first I'll need some zippy flyers and... Read More

Do You Dither in Your Job Search?

I looked up the definition of "to dither" before writing... Read More

Priorities: Are You Living Yours?

In the Charles Dickens classic, "The Christmas Story", Scrooge is... Read More

Coaching May Be For You

Are you looking for someone who will hold you accountable... Read More

7 Effective Ways To Boost Your Self Esteem

1. Get a life purpose statement.A well thought out life... Read More

What Dost Thou Speaketh? Hey, Affirm This Way!

Articulating repetitive statements with emotion will inevitably connect you to... Read More

Avoid the Tendency to Underestimate Your Greatness

As a whole I think there is a sad tendency... Read More

Being an Emotional Victim

None of us like to think of ourselves as victims.... Read More

Can You Say No?

As a manager you are constantly being asked to do... Read More

4 Amazing Tips To Successfully Persuade Anyone

Having excellent persuasion skills is one of the most important... Read More

Resolving Conflicts Effectively

Every relationship has conflicts. In some relationships, conflict is a... Read More

Is Coaching For You?

More and more people have less and less time, but... Read More

Whats Up With All These Coaches?

If you are anything like me, you may have noticed... Read More