Taking Time For What Matters: Why Mindfulness Is The Key To Progress

"Hot Star Mountains" Artist: Matthew Sabey Smith (Best For Fire & Water Elements- Fire/Water Imbalance)

Taking Time For What Matters: Why Mindfulness Is The Key To Progress

Slow Down

       You ever wonder about the fact that the world never seems to stop moving so fast that taking a moment to breathe feels like lost time? Let me tell you from first hand experience as an entrepreneur, it feels like that a lot. The beauty of technology these days has made things easier for us than ever before but now we need to somehow work more in order to keep up with newer and faster standards. Resting is not something that is celebrated. You ever think about that? You are recognized for your accomplishments, your good work, your job well done, but what about the way you approached it to get there? 

Who Do You Admire?

       You ever look at someone as an example of how they live their life rather than all the things they have accomplished in their life? Of course, getting your fifth PhD is entirely worth noting just like your first million dollar year in your business. But at what cost? Do we celebrate the people who do it gracefully or the people who used their grit to get through? Perhaps it is both. My point here is deeper than this though. People who do amazing things should be celebrated leaders, yes of course. But they may not be the best people to look to in certain cases such as health. 

Balance

       Health is ultimately about balance, the balance between yin and yang. If we lived our days with no night, how could that create imbalance in life? What if the sun never came up? What would we do then? 

Relaxation

       This is why I wanted to talk about rest and the importance of relaxation. No it doesn’t have to be sleep, it can be meditation, hobbies, the enjoyment of your life is what comes first. Sometimes we take jobs that are not our first choice because we need to get by with the bills for example. But what about someone who loves their job and gets more than their needs met? Maybe you already have that, maybe you don’t. This is where I want to discuss intention and maintaining mindfulness in your life.

Science In Mindfulness

       Mindfulness is researched heavily especially as science moves forward. We are essentially finding this is where so many rooted problems of disease can be mitigated if not reversed. We often rely on extreme medications for extremely imbalanced conditions, but my argument would be, what if we could have stopped that pattern from ever manifesting years prior? Living a life mindfully, being in touch with oneself is the key to beginning that trend. The people I look up to not only accomplish great things in this world, they live their lives balanced and maintain rest within their days. 

Grinding

       Sure, I could write a book every week if I wanted to, but how many books could I write if I take my time in between? How much higher would the quality of my writing be if I was more intentional to cultivate from what was deep within me?

Quality vs Quantity

       This is where quality surpasses quantity. I think about this being in the art world too. What makes artwork rare? It is limited, one of a kind, special. Well, that is like life too. If we are intentional in our lives, if we look deep within rather than try to always show off how great our lives are on places like social media, in our careers, or trying to impress other people, how would life be different?

What Is Your Excuse?
       My point here is, what are the excuses you make for yourself not taking the time to slow down, contemplate and rest your mind? Your life could ultimately gain more quality within it. Your happiness would be greater and your relationships with others would run deeper.

My Challenge For You

       My challenge to you today is to take a rest. Sit yourself down, even for five minutes and just rest. No phone, no notebook, just feel what it feels like to read yourself. Feel what it feels like to move each toe at a time, move each finger at a time, bring the breath of life within you in and out, in and out, in and out.

       Mindfulness can be that simple and as a result create the quality of your life to be greater. It is not always about performing on an empty gas tank. It is about nourishing yourself so you can perform of a place and energy of abundance.

Are You Less Professional?

       I have run into this as an artist, as a professor and as a. Practitioner. I catch myself when I am running on empty and it took practice to know when to stop. Sometimes I would convince myself that if I didn’t create new art everyday that would not make me an artist. That couldn't be further from the truth! If you are a professional, if you don’t work every single day does that make you not a professional? Absolutely not. So next time you're tired, rest. Next time you need a break, take it. You, your wallet and your relationships will actually become even greater as a result. Be intentional, be mindful, and most of all, enjoy every moment you have in your life and live it to the fullest.

If you would like to learn more about this concept check out my book, “How To Design For A Healthy Mind & Body” click below:

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