By Hottie Potty
Posted in The Porta Potty Blog, on November 01, 2016
As Potty Girl's holiday season kicks off, it is important to celebrate "Holiday Mindfulness" as you check off tasks on the “holiday to do list".
Surely you have heard the term “mindful” quite a bit in the past year? It is a popular term that originated from a Pali word, sati, which means having a constant presence of the mind. Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk brought it to the United States, but Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center brought it fully into our vocabulary.
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” - Jon Kabat-Zinn
Mindfulness is a practice with where you are right now in life. Everyone just wants to be happy, we just go about it respectfully in different ways. The small gestures in life bring about unending joy and happiness to others and yourself.
If you are looking forward to a mindful day, here are some thoughts:
Set your peaceful intentions at the start of your day.
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love” ― Marcus Aurelius
Concentrate on each breath without allowing distractions.
“Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh
Create awareness in your body that makes a connection between your mind and body by giving yourself time to do this...walking in nature, sitting meditations, going fishing or a quiet spot.
“Connect with your heart and engender a basic attitude of generosity and compassion toward yourself.” ― Pema Chödrön
Overworking, overexercising, overplaying and marathon scheduling doesn’t leave time for spontaneity or self-care. Notice the coping methods that stimulate your stress.
“Resolve to do each job in a relaxed way, with all your attention.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh
Gatherings lend opportunities to listen when people may need to be heard. Be mindful of the chances to listen and be fully present without an agenda or judging.
“Allowing things to be as they are without getting caught up in your attraction to or rejection of them, in the intrinsic stickiness of wanting, of liking and disliking.” ― Jon Kabat-Zinn
It may sound like it takes a good bit of effort while you are bustling around but it takes less energy that you imagine.
“Mindfulness is the energy that helps us recognize the conditions of happiness that are already present in our lives.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
The Potty Girl family looks forward to a mindful holiday season with joy, gratitude, and happiness. We want you to have a peaceful and successful end of the year too!
