Day 3: Mindfulness
Have you ever been at a family event, a party with friends, or even a vacation and all you were thinking about being somewhere else?
The event itself may have been actually really fun and maybe you were even looking forward to it, but instead of being fully there, you were either on your phone, thinking about someone back home, or stressing over that work project.
We are all victim to this, and I’ve been there myself.
Mindfulness is being completely aware of the present moment without wanting anything to be different. Can you imagine what your life would feel like if you were completely present in all situations?
We’re going to talk all about how to do that. So stick around.
Read the full video transcription:
Hey, it’s Doug Cartwright and I’m the founder of The Daily Shifts and I’m going to help you find happiness and purpose in your life.
After using the techniques and practices I’ll talk about, you’ll love the person you’ve become and will enjoy experiencing life at a higher—newer level.
You are on the THIRD day, day 3, of our happiness habit best week ever challenge.
Today we are talking about MINDFULNESS. So what is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is being fully present in the moment without wanting anything to change.
For example… When you’re folding your laundry imagine being there. You feel the warm fabric on your fingers… you appreciate the creases and you make your folds with intention.
When you’re walking down the street, you appreciate the trees, the flowers, that glimpse of sunlight piercing through the tree line.
Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there's a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in any given moment.
Why would you want to do this in the first place? What’s the point of accepting the moment or the situation for what it is?
When you do this, it allows you to experience life in its fullest expression without having to worry about your to-do list.
This simple practice will improve your relationships. You’ll have deeper and more meaningful connection with those you love and care about. You’ll also become a person that people want to be around. In turn, you’ll love being you.
So recently I had a really cool personal experience with this.
I was recently just in LA and I had a 30 minute Uber ride to my next meeting. I knew I had a couple emails I need to respond to and a phone call I needed to make.
Earlier that day, I had read the quote. “mindfulness is being completely aware at the moment without wanting anything to be different.” So as I got into my Uber and I put my earphones in and the guy that was driving just kept talking to me non stop, asking me question after question after question.
In my head, I was getting so annoyed, all I could think about were the emails and the calls I needed to get to. But this driver just wouldn't stop talking.
And then I remembered that quote and I was like, you know what? I'm just going to accept this moment and not want it to be any different.
So I took out my AirPods out and just sat back and listened to him. I was completely engaged with the driver. We actually ended up having a really fun conversation and we ended up both were laughing.
As he was dropping me off at my destination, he turned around and thanked me for talking with him, he had then went on to say that the only reason he drives is to connect with others. His other job he works from at home and he told me he gets really, really lonely, So driving gives him an opportunity to connect with the rest of the world.
I immediately felt so compassionate for my driver and was truly grateful for engaging. It made a massive shift in my mood for the rest of the day. Because I didn’t wish that my current situation in the car was different, both me and the driver were able to feel a deep sense of happiness and appreciation.
Let’s talk about today’s tip.
Be more mindful and accept that whatever is happening in your world is happening for your best interest. Change your perception of the events in your life from “why is this happening to me…” to “This is happening for me.”
Gabby Bernstien talks about this idea when she says that we don’t ever experience roadblocks… we experience detours in the right direction.
Benjamin Disraeli said: “Man is not the creature of circumstances, circumstances are the creatures of men. We are free agents, and man is more powerful than matter. ”
I can tell you that this is 100% true. Things happen for you, not to you, but if you’re having a hard time believing this, I absolutely love what Jim Carrey says in his commencement speech he delivered at the Maharishi University of Management.
He says, “When I say, “Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.” I really don’t know if that’s true. I’m just making a conscious choice to perceive challenges as something beneficial so that I can deal with them in the most productive way. You’ll come up with your own style, that’s part of the fun!”
GROWTH CHALLENGE
So here’s your growth challenge for today. I call this “Respect this moment” Right now take 45 seconds and completely engage in your sense without wanting anything to be different. Savor the feeling of being alive. What do you taste, touch, smell, hear, feel? Embrace these in this moment.
Be more mindful and accept that whatever is happening in your world is happening for your best interest.
Next time you are in an experience that is normally high pressure or anxious, look at it from the perspective of not wanting anything to be different and notice how it relieves pressure in that moment.
Notice the energy in the space and within yourself shift and lighten.
Now that your growth challenge is complete, here is your very simple habit to start working into your day — Take a few seconds everyday and tune in, tap into your senses, and just experience the feeling of being alive.
Do this wherever you are sitting in the moment. Notice everything around you.
If you need help, you can actually use the Daily Shifts App. There’s a specific shift called “Respect This Moment” to remind you of this practice.
Thank you for watching today. And if you’ve learned something new, make sure you mention it in the comments below and also please post about your progress on Facebook and on Instagram. Use the hashtag #thedailyshifts and #bestweekeverchallenge
I cannot wait to see the person you’re becoming.
