I\u2019ve been taking a class on Mindfulness. It\u2019s an 8-week series that meets in an elementary school library. Every Monday night, a bunch of us cram our adult-sized bodies into kid-sized chairs to talk about our weeks and open our minds to new possibilities.<\/p>\n
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but figured I\u2019d learn some breathing techniques that might help me calm myself down and be more present in the moment. There is that. Give it a try:<\/p>\n
Take a deep breath.
\nLet it out, slowly, until your chest is empty\u2026
\n<\/em>How do you feel?<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\nChances are, you feel slightly calmer. I sure do. I’ve become a big fan of taking a deep breath when I\u2019m faced with something challenging.<\/p>\n
Beyond deep breathing techniques, focusing on mindfulness has caused me to become highly reflective. Here are a few insights I’d like to share with you:<\/p>\n
Your brain is not always right.<\/strong> Our brains tend to hang on to the negative and dismiss the positive. It\u2019s important to pause, identify how you\u2019re feeling in any given moment, and take a [deep] breath before responding. In essence, take a mini reflective break before acting or responding if you find you\u2019re moving to a negative space.<\/p>\n
It’s possible to re-frame.<\/strong> You can turn a difficult situation into a learning opportunity simply by taking a few minutes to consider the situation from a different perspective. Flip it around, give it a positive spin, notice how you feel.<\/p>\n
Practice self-compassion\u2014give yourself a break!<\/strong> Don\u2019t be so tough on yourself. This has been a hard lesson for me\u2026and I know I\u2019m not the only one who is my own toughest critic.<\/p>\n
Now it\u2019s your turn. As the semester draws to a close, look back on all you’ve accomplished.<\/p>\n
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- What’s been the most challenging experience this semester? What did you learn from it?<\/li>\n
- How have you changed from last year? What does this tell you about your growth?<\/li>\n
- Write a thank you letter to yourself. You’ve accomplished a lot\u2014express gratitude!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Demonstrate compassion and gratitude for the person you have become.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Take a deep breath in\u2026<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Let it out, slowly\u2026<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How do you feel?<\/em><\/p>\nReady to do further assessment, and maybe set some goals for spring? CES Career Advisor Rebecca Pettit leads you through the process in her 2-part blog. <\/a><\/p>\n