Mindful Living

Bridging the Gap Posted on Guest Contributions, Mindful Living Mindfulness Between Parents and Children In today’s digital whirlwind, it’s easy for parents and kids to feel like they’re on different planets. As a 21-year-old young man raised by my parents, I’ve seen how our hectic lives and technology can widen this gap. But I’ve also discovered a simple tool that can help: mindfulness. It’s about being fully present and transforming my relationship with my parents. Let’s first understand The Mind Gap We’ve all felt it—those moments where we seem to speak different languages. My parents used to focus on teaching responsibility and planning for the future while I lived in the moment, soaking up creativity and connection. This difference often led to clashes and misunderstandings. Discovering Mindfulness Mindfulness isn’t just for yoga mats and meditation retreats. It’s about paying full attention to the here and now. Here’s how it’s helped me bridge the gap with my parents: 1. Active Listening: I learned to really listen without thinking about my next piece of advice. I just had to be there, hearing them out.2. Empathy and Compassion: Mindfulness helped me step into their shoes, seeing things from their perspective without jumping to conclusions.3. Emotional Regulation: Taking a moment to breathe when things get heated has helped us all manage our emotions better.4. Quality Time: We started doing things together, like cooking or going for walks, leaving our phones behind. It’s amazing how much closer you feel when you’re fully present. A Personal Story My mom and I were butting heads over my social media use a few months ago. She worried about the time I spent online, while I felt I didn’t get it. One evening, my mom asked me to join her for a walk instead of another round of arguments. We left our phones at home and just talked. I listened—really listened—to her worries and joys. By the end of our walk, we had a new understanding. We set some boundaries that worked for both of us and our relationship felt more connected. Tips for Mindful Parenting If you’re looking to bring mindfulness into your parenting, here are some tips that worked for my parents: 1. Mindful Moments: Set aside time daily to be together without distractions.2. Breathing Exercises: Practice simple breathing techniques together to manage stress.3. Gratitude Journals: Share what you’re thankful for each day.4. Model Mindfulness: Show your kids how you handle stress and emotions mindfully.5. Storytelling: Share your own childhood stories and listen to theirs. It’s a great way to connect. So, mindfulness has been a game-changer in my relationship with my parents. It’s not about erasing our differences but understanding and respecting them. Being present and genuinely listening has brought us closer; it can do the same for you. Take a deep breath, be present, and watch your relationship with your child flourish. Suggested Articles You May Also Like Charlie’s Favorite Things • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Charlie’s Favorite Things Posted on Charlene Hartung, Curated This month, I have three delightful things … Book Review: Spare By Prince Harry • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Book Review: Spare By Prince Harry Posted on Charlene Hartung, Curated “Spare” is the memoir … Navigating Loss • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Navigating Loss Posted on Curated, Guest Contributions My father was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate … Understanding Cellulite • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Understanding Cellulite Posted on Health and Fitness What is Cellulite? Cellulite is a common yet … 1 2 3 … 5 Next »

The Power of Truth Posted on Guest Contributions, Mindful Living In a world filled with distractions and noise, finding peace and mindfulness can seem like an insurmountable challenge. However, one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal is often overlooked: truthfulness. Living a truthful life doesn’t just mean being honest with others; it also means being honest with ourselves. When we embrace truth in all aspects of our lives, we open the door to a more mindful and fulfilling existence. The Importance of Truthfulness: Living truthfully means being authentic in our words, actions, and intentions. It requires us to be honest with ourselves about who we are, what we want, and how we feel. When we are truthful, we build trust with ourselves and others, fostering deeper and more meaningful connections. The Connection Between Truthfulness and Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, fully aware of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. When we live truthfully, we eliminate the mental clutter that comes from dishonesty and deception. We no longer have to keep track of lies or maintain a façade, allowing us to focus our attention on the present moment. How Living Truthfully Leads to Mindfulness 1. Reduced Stress: Dishonesty often leads to anxiety and stress as we worry about being caught in a lie. When we live truthfully, we free ourselves from this burden, allowing us to experience greater peace of mind. 2. Increased Authenticity: Being truthful allows us to show up as our authentic selves in every situation. We no longer feel the need to hide behind a mask or pretend to be someone we’re not, leading to more genuine and fulfilling interactions. 3. Improved Relationships: Truthfulness is the foundation of healthy relationships. When we are honest with others, we build trust and deepen our connections. This leads to more meaningful and satisfying relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners. Tips for Living a Truthful and Mindful Life 1. Practice Self-Reflection: Take time each day to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Be honest with yourself about who you are and what you want out of life. 2. Speak Your Truth: Be honest in your communication with others, even when it’s difficult. Speak up for what you believe in and express your thoughts and feelings openly and respectfully. 3. Act with Integrity: Align your actions with your values and beliefs. Be true to yourself in everything you do, and strive to live with integrity and authenticity. Living truthfully is not always easy, but the rewards are well worth the effort. When we embrace truth in all aspects of our lives, we open the door to greater mindfulness, authenticity, and fulfilment. By practising honesty with ourselves and others, we can live more intentional, meaningful, and mindful lives. Suggested Articles You May Also Like Charlie’s Favorite Things • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Charlie’s Favorite Things Posted on Charlene Hartung, Curated This month, I have three delightful things … Book Review: Spare By Prince Harry • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Book Review: Spare By Prince Harry Posted on Charlene Hartung, Curated “Spare” is the memoir … Navigating Loss • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Navigating Loss Posted on Curated, Guest Contributions My father was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate … Understanding Cellulite • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Understanding Cellulite Posted on Health and Fitness What is Cellulite? Cellulite is a common yet … 1 2 3 … 5 Next »

Planting the Growth Seed Posted on Guest Contributions, Mindful Living The concept of the growth mindset revolves around the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through dedication and effort. Unlike a fixed mindset, which views talents and capabilities as static traits, a growth mindset emphasises the power of yet, the idea that one may not have mastered a skill yet. However, with perseverance and learning, you can improve over time. Central to the growth mindset is acknowledging that setbacks and failures are not indicators of innate incompetence but opportunities for growth and development. Instead of succumbing to defeatism when faced with challenges, individuals with a growth mindset view obstacles as stepping stones to success. So you replace negative self-talk such as “I can’t do this” with affirmations like “I am still learning” and “I will try a different approach.” Embracing a growth mindset involves fostering a passion for learning and a willingness to confront challenges head-on. It requires reframing setbacks as learning experiences and maintaining resilience in adversity. By cultivating a mindset focused on growth and improvement, individuals can unlock their full potential and achieve tremendous success in various aspects of their lives. Research has shown that individuals with a growth mindset tend to outperform those with a fixed mindset, particularly in academic and professional settings. They demonstrate higher levels of resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Moreover, they are more likely to persevere in the face of obstacles and view criticism as constructive feedback rather than personal attacks. Incorporating the growth mindset principles into your daily life can lead to transformative personal and professional growth. By believing in the power of yet and embracing challenges as opportunities for learning, individuals can cultivate a mindset that fosters continuous improvement and success. Suggested Articles You May Also Like Charlie’s Favorite Things • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Charlie’s Favorite Things Posted on Charlene Hartung, Curated This month, I have three delightful things … Book Review: Spare By Prince Harry • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Book Review: Spare By Prince Harry Posted on Charlene Hartung, Curated “Spare” is the memoir … Navigating Loss • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Navigating Loss Posted on Curated, Guest Contributions My father was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate … Understanding Cellulite • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Understanding Cellulite Posted on Health and Fitness What is Cellulite? Cellulite is a common yet … 1 2 3 … 5 Next »

Navigating your 20’s Posted on Guest Contributions, Mindful Living As I navigate the stormy seas of my 20s, adversity becomes my foe and greatest teacher. The career path I envisioned is clouded with uncertainty, and personal relationships are a maze of emotions. Every rejection feels like a storm, threatening to derail my dreams. Amid this chaos, I find strength in embracing the challenges. Job setbacks become opportunities for skill refinement, and heartbreaks become stepping stones towards self-discovery. Each stumble is a chapter in the story of resilience I am crafting. Surrounded by friends facing their tribulations, we form a tight-knit support system. Late-night conversations become a refuge, reminding us that we’re not alone in the struggles of our 20s. Together, we redefine success, understanding that the journey is as important as the destination. As I confront the adversities of my 20s, I realise that these challenges sculpt me into a more robust version of myself. The vulnerability becomes a source of power, and the setbacks are the raw material for a future marked by resilience and growth. In these trying moments, I learned that it’s okay not to have all the answers. The beauty lies in the journey of self-discovery; with every trial, I’m becoming a more authentic and resilient version of myself. As I face the storms of my 20s, I’m learning to dance in the rain and find strength in the struggle, knowing that this chapter shapes the person I am destined to become. Suggested Articles You May Also Like Charlie’s Favorite Things • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Charlie’s Favorite Things Posted on Charlene Hartung, Curated This month, I have three delightful things … Book Review: Spare By Prince Harry • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Book Review: Spare By Prince Harry Posted on Charlene Hartung, Curated “Spare” is the memoir … Navigating Loss • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Navigating Loss Posted on Curated, Guest Contributions My father was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate … Understanding Cellulite • November 5, 2024 • No Comments Understanding Cellulite Posted on Health and Fitness What is Cellulite? Cellulite is a common yet … 1 2 3 … 5 Next »

You Need to Feel It to Heal It! Posted on Guest Contributions, Mindful Living “Emotional pain cannot kill you, but running from it can. Allow. Embrace. Let yourself feel. Let yourself heal.” ~Vironika Tugaleva“Healed enough” is a myth, not a fact.“I’m still too broken. I can only date when I’ve done all my healing work.”“I still don’t feel ready to apply – I can still hear my father’s voice in my head; that means it’s not time, right? Not if his voice is still there.”“I’ll think about doing it next year – I just worry that I haven’t been in therapy long enough yet.” Since I started my healing journey, I have heard each of these statements almost every month in some variation. These claims are rooted in the core conviction that I’m not well enough to do X, Y, or Z. Although it could seem like a core belief, this is fiction and not the truth. And it’s a widespread fallacy that, for those who buy into it, may, ironically, prevent them from engaging in the activities, relationships, and locations that would otherwise be the most therapeutic for their recovery journeys. I’ve written about this before, but I’ll repeat it: people who originate from relational trauma backgrounds may endure a variety of complex biopsychosocial effects due to their traumatic early childhoods that last well into adulthood. One example of these effects is having maladaptive attitudes about one’s own “brokenness” (such as low self-worth). People with relational trauma histories frequently believe they need to be “all healed” before moving towards the things they truly want (dating, having children, going to graduate school, or pursuing their dream career) because they feel “too broken” to have these positive things in their lives right now. This notion is widespread. It’s appropriate and organic. However, just because a belief is common and natural doesn’t imply that it is true. Therefore, even though you might not feel “healed enough” to sign up for that dating app, ask that attractive person out, or undertake the necessary research and preparation for the satisfying career your heart and soul long for, your feelings don’t always correspond to reality. The idea that you’re “healed enough” is untrue. And it most certainly does not imply that you must wait until you are “fully healed” before pursuing the people and activities you desire in your life. Acting even before you feel “healed enough” might be healing on its own. Starting even though you don’t yet feel “healed enough” may be the most healing thing you can do. Why? Because moving in the direction of the things you desire—those people, places, and endeavours that would give your life purpose and fulfilment—and more specifically, moving in the direction of those things before you feel ready—can actually hasten your healing process by enhancing your sense of agency and competency and supporting the restoration and healing of your self-esteem and self-worth in the world. Suppose you can identify a part of yourself that is holding off on moving towards and taking action towards the future you want because you don’t feel “healed enough” yet after reading this post. In that case, I invite you to think about this reframe: perhaps the most healing thing you could do for yourself is to start before you feel “healed enough.” Of course, I want you to balance what I’m saying – that there is no such thing as being “healed enough” and that starting now might be the most healing thing you could do – with your own inner wisdom. Only you are the expert of your experience – not me, not your partner, your best friend, or some guru on Instagram. Even though you may want something, there may be a better time for you to move towards it now. For instance, even though I knew deep down that I wasn’t ready for a relationship, boy, it was life-changing and healing in ways I could never have imagined. Please consider what I said today, but always apply your own experience and insight to it because only you know what is best, right, and true for you. And if you want to learn more about this subject, consider asking yourself: What do I yearn for and dream about that I’m not pursuing? Could you tell me what assumptions I have about my ability to accomplish that? Are these notions constructive or destructive? Do these beliefs feel like voices and ideas from my past—perhaps a familiar voice from a family member or friend—or do they originate in my body from some innate wisdom and inner knowing? What might occur if I start acting in the direction of what I want? Which scenario is the worst case, and which is the best case? Is there anyone else I know who “started before they were ready” and who has the kind of successful outcomes I want for myself? What would I have to do to be like them? Would you like me to do this? Find a therapist if, after reading this post and responding to these questions, you benefit from expert guidance to start taking steps toward the people, places, and activities your heart desires. 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