Mindfulness - The Breath

I love this picture for so many reasons and today it is because of the focus and presence of the child trying to capture the enchanting bubble, nothing there nothing but absolute focus and delight in what the child is doing, being totally mindful and present.

No concerns about whether anyone is looking will think bad things, no question of am I doing this perfectly, is this ok! 



I am writing up my coaching programme about connecting with the body and am realising more and more that connecting occurs in so many ways. I have some fun ways, interesting ways. I attended a workshop this weekend, which was fantastic - Mindfulness - Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), which really is all about being mindful, reminding ourselves of our values, being guided by them, learning to acknowledge that our thoughts are thoughts and we can be with our feelings, we can be whole.
The beginning place is simply breathing and noticing the breathe in your body and if that is hard to do then just count the breathe, on the end of a breathe is one, even repeating that 5 - 10 times for a minute or more. Small steps get you there. I promise! When asked to do this, a few years ago, I wondered and asked why does this matter. A few years down the line, I wish I had come out of my head and carried on with the breathing. It is immensely powerful in connecting, pausing and being. We then come from a place of calmness and not anxiousness.

There are so many other benefits and strategies but for now, breathing, taking time when you eat. Noticing the textures, smells, tastes, sounds, smells. Just simply noticing, in an incredible start and then notice how you feel after.