Mindfulness as a Way of Life

Written by: Lorraine Twombly

Published: March 19th, 2024

These last few years have been simultaneously exciting and troubling. I am constantly battling the need to know everything that’s going on in the world and reminding myself not to take everything that I see and hear to a place of fear and anxiety.

I’ve been taking an eight-part Mindfulness course from PositivePsychology.com because my mind is a buzz with work, home, family, friends, and state of our country and world stuff. I’m learning quite a bit about Mindfulness, which means living in the present moment, being more aware moment to moment while fully engaged in one’s surroundings – with intention and acceptance but without judgment.

How do we listen, see, and experience things with intention and without judgment? It doesn’t matter which side of the issues we prefer; mindfulness seems to be the answer. We’re taught at an early age to think for ourselves, get a good education, find meaningful work, and create a happy life. In my experience as a child, there were no courses about being mindful of what we’re thinking and doing. We were taught the difference between right and wrong, but I don’t remember anyone mentioning to be present in the moment, or don’t judge or assume what you see and hear - get to know the situation, then make the decision.

Being mindful to me means that my thoughts, decisions, and actions are constantly in question as I navigate through acceptance and trying hard not to be judgmental. Every negative or positive thought, every decision that needs to be made, and whatever I do about it are filtered through my mindfulness practices when I remember to be present in the moment. Trying to be “present” with so many distractions make being mindful difficult. It takes constant practice, patience, and willpower to “be present” in every moment, and to listen without assumptions or judgments.

Psychologists say that talking to oneself is a sign of genius…I hope they are right because I find myself doing that a lot!! I constantly ask myself questions like, “Are you judging this? Are you sure you’re right about that? Have you considered another side to the story? Are you making assumptions?”

Here are some questions to ask yourself that may help you to be more mindful. Start with: Am I…

• Judging without realizing it?
• Saying things without thinking first?  
• Responding too quickly?
• Feeling angry?
• Assuming?

Paying attention while driving?

• Open to listening?
• Being “present”?

When I was given this wonderful gift of learning about Mindfulness (thank you, Ralph), I have been practicing, practicing, practicing!! This is a life-long learning experience! Being mindful in the moment can help us to be more kind in our behaviors, more generous in our language and conversations, prevents biases and name calling, and helps us to stay the course in our quest to be our best selves.

Thank you for reading!

Lorraine Twombly