Mindfulness Journal - April 23, 2021 - Day 25 of 365 The true purpose of mindfulness practice is not simply finding time to meditate each day but instead bringing the concepts of mindfulness into the rest of your day. Success in mindfulness means being more present and more aware of what you are thinking, feeling, and doing all the time, not just during the first 20 minutes of your day. I’ll admit, this is a challenge for me. I often treat this journey as a checkbox. I focus on getting it done rather than a meaningful process. I need to bring these concepts into the rest of my life. My goal for today and the weekend is to find moments each day where I reset and make sure that I am aware of what I am doing and why I am doing it. I will find opportunities to check in with myself and make sure I am present in my actions and feelings.
“The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.” Exodus 15:3
Gratitude Journal - April 23, 2021 Today, I am grateful for the warriors that go to battle everyday to keep our nation safe. Those who dedicate their lives to the service of our country need to be appreciated daily. For the members of our military, past and present, I am thankful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 22, 2021 - Day 24 of 365
“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.” Matthew 10:24
Gratitude Journal - April 22, 2021 Today, I am grateful for my students. While I don’t teach as frequently as I would like, when I get a new section of students eager to learn, it reminds me of the fun and importance of education. I know I am blessed and lucky to have opportunities to teach others and pass along a little of what I have learned over the years. For my students, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 21, 2021 - Day 23 of 365 Because I had to work today at the fire station, I couldn’t meditate first thing this morning. Typically, this causes me issues and makes the session less than optimal. Tonight, I was able to break through that, and, despite the less than perfect conditions, I was able to find focus and have a positive meditation session. There was external noise, a kid playing video games while talking on his phone to a friend, a tv on upstairs and other kids running around, yet I was still able to break through and close that out and focus on my exhale. I still had other thoughts pass by, but I let them go and returned to my breathing focus. I am pleased with this progress.
“If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:10
Gratitude Journal - April 21, 2021 Today, I am grateful for being able to help other people. I know that I am lucky that I get the opportunity to help people on a daily basis. For this, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 20, 2021 - Day 22 of 365 Today’s meditation proved to be both peaceful and relaxing. Trying to find the impact of emotions or thoughts on the quality of breathing is an interesting approach to finding calm. I found it easier today to disconnect my physical space and feelings from my mental state. Overall, a good day.
“And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it.” Deuteronomy 1:39
Gratitude Journal - April 20, 2021 Today, I am grateful for accountability. Today we saw someone held accountable for his actions. That’s a good thing. For accountability, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 19, 2021 - Day 21 of 365 Today was a more productive day than yesterday. I was able to focus more fully and concentrate. While I didn’t solve the problem I was faced with yesterday, I was able to find some clarity as to what was bothering me so much. Now I can better work to solve that part of the problem, rather than just being angry. It was a good day.
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12
Gratitude Journal - April 19, 2021 Today, I am grateful for fully stocked grocery stores. Being able to drive to the grocery store, pick up pretty much any food item or ingredients you need is a gift. For grocery stores, I am thankful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 18, 2021 - Day 20 of 365 So, I’ve learned that there are many stops and starts with establishing a practice of mindfulness. Meaning, some days are valuable and move your training forward, and some days are not so great. Today was a not-so-great day for me. I found it difficult to focus; there was too much noise and too many distractions around me to allow for calm. I didn’t find what I was looking for. I know in the long run, having an off day is ok. There will be good days, and there will be bad days (like with everything). However, today’s failure hit me a little deeper because I feel like I needed the calm and the focus of a good meditation session. I’ve been deep in thought a lot today, focused on a personal problem, and I was hoping to sort it out during meditation. Instead, I just got stuck and couldn’t find my way out of it.
I’ll sleep on it and drive through it again tomorrow.
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22
Gratitude Journal - April 18, 2021 Today, I am grateful for honesty. There is nothing more hurtful in life than dishonesty and deceit. Further, there is no reason for it other than selfishness, fear, and lack of integrity. Just be honest. Tell the truth, especially to those for whom you are supposed to care. For honesty, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 17, 2021 - Day 19 of 365 I completed my meditation first thing this morning in a peaceful, quiet house. For me, that is the key to success: a quiet and calm home: no one else up, no interruptions. Today was a good day.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
