A Day of Mindfulness

by The Well Daily
September 12, 2011

In the routine of day-to-day life, from waking to work to home life, it's all too easy to forsake the present moment for the future and its to-do lists. Enter mindfulness, a practice with its origins in Buddhism that is useful in any and every environment. Mindfulness is the practice of developing presence in all aspects of our lives, whether we're working, commuting, gardening, cleaning or having dinner with our families. The goal and end result of mindfulness is to be in a constant state of peaceful presence.

Today, September 12, 2011, marks the inaugural National Mindfulness Day, a day focused on helping people adopt mindfulness practices. Tim McNeill, CEO of Wisdom Publications, wants this day “to offer individuals and communities a chance to embrace a mindfulness practice, experiment with it, and make it their own if they enjoy it." Mindfulness is a personal practice, but beyond the individual it helps generate peace and compassion in the world.

The changing season offers the perfect opportunity to shake up old habits and learn new skills as we adjust to new schedules for school and work, head back to more time indoors and create new routines. Participate in National Mindfulness Day today by focusing on the present—and only the present—while doing everyday activities. These are our suggestions:

• When you get an email, don't open it right away. Pause first to remember that nothing must happen instantly, as technology sometimes demands.
• During your commute, instead of zoning out, focus on breathing equally.
• Rather than eating in front of the computer or on the go, sit down with each meal and give it your full attention, offering up gratitude for the energy and nutrition it provides.

Be quirky, creative, spontaneous and authentic in your celebration of mindfulness. And tell us how you're becoming more mindful in the comments below.