Mindfulness Journal - April 3, 2021 - Day 5 of 365 I am halfway through the ten for ten beginner program, and I am enjoying the process. I find the increased guidance in the daily meditations helpful, and the tips included are beneficial to keep me on track. I’m looking forward to moving on and continuing the journey. Once again today, I completed my session first thing in the morning in a quiet house. A peaceful and calm place is the only way it works for me. I find myself to be too distracted and unable to focus otherwise.
Additional note: I’ve been using some Headspace sleep meditations to fall asleep while working overnight at the fire station. After a call, I sometimes find it challenging to fall back to sleep. These meditations, particularly the “switching off” meditation, work very well for me, and I find I fall asleep very quickly (less than 5 minutes) when using them. Good find! I wake much more rested ad feeling much better.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Gratitude Journal - April 3, 2021 Today, I am grateful for the quiet of the early morning. In my house, I am typically up before everyone else and, because of this, the house is peaceful and quiet. I use this time to read the Bible, meditate, exercise, and sometimes think. The morning is my time. For this, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 2, 2021 - Day 4 of 365 I recently started reading Andy Puddicombe’s book on mindfulness. The section I read last night before bed discussed how, at times, the mind could seem very busy, and trying to tame it and find a clear space is difficult. Likewise, this morning my mediation was focused on paying attention to how much work it can be to not think about your thoughts.
The concept of finding the blue sky beyond the clouds is helpful to me in overcoming this challenge. There is always blue sky (a clear mind) beyond the clouds (thoughts of all kinds), and if you just let the clouds pass, you will find the blue sky. Today was a good day.
“And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”” Luke 9:22
Gratitude Journal - April 2, 2021 Today, I am grateful for friends. Good friends make the bad times tolerable and the good times better. They are there when you need them and understand when you need time alone. For friends, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 1, 2021 - Day 3 of 365 I failed to get up early and get things done while the house was quiet today. So my only option was to meditate tonight in a busy home with too much going on. I would say it was not very productive, but I think that would be an understatement. I guess every at-bat can’t be a home run. I will be getting up early tomorrow and finding some peace - and hopefully for the next 362 days.
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” Luke 9:24-25
Gratitude Journal - April 1, 2021 Today, I am grateful for common sense. In today’s society, we lack common sense and fail to think about things calmly and rationally. We respond with fear or emotion rather than logic and common sense. For those that can employ common sense successfully, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - March 31, 2021 - Day 2 of 365 Today I had an interesting experience during my meditation. Several years ago, I was going through a difficult personal time, and I was using Headspace, particularly the beginner sessions, to find some peace. Those were the same beginner sessions I am going through now.
This morning during my meditation, I experienced a flashback of the anxiety and pain I felt all those years ago. I could actually recall the room where I was and the details of what was going on. I’m sure the process just dug up some crap in the back of my mind and brought it forward. The difference now versus several years ago is that I recognized it for what it was and moved on. I didn’t get caught up in the thoughts. I merely saw the cloud, let it move past, and found the sunny sky beyond. Today’s session proved to be very calming and peaceful.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalms 40:1-2
Gratitude Journal - March 31, 2021 Today, I am grateful for clear and concise speaking and writing. There is a time when being verbose and detailed is appropriate. There is also a time when you need to make your point quickly. I appreciate people who can drive home a point without droning on for excessive periods. We are all busy. Get to the end. For brevity, I am thankful.
Mindfulness Journal - March 30, 2021 - Day 1 of 365 I recently finished up the course I was working on within Headspace, so I was looking for a new one to start. Today I decided to start the year-long Headspace 365 journey. My goal is to stay consistent and complete this course in 365 days, not miss any days, nor do alternatives. Completing this challenge will take commitment and persistence.
Day 1 - The first few weeks will be a bit of a review as I go back through the basics courses. Today started the first introductory course - 10 for 10. This part of the program is ten minutes a day for ten days and covers mindfulness basics. I am looking forward to this review as it will get me well centered for the coming journey.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Like 6:41
Gratitude Journal - March 30, 2021 Today, I am grateful for persistence. Sometimes, the only way you can get something done or, more importantly, see results is by being persistent and keeping after it day-after-day. Coming back and continuing to attack problems after you’ve failed is one of the keys to success. For persistence, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - March 29, 2021 Today was my 40th consecutive day practicing mindfulness. Being consistent and persistent with this process has been the key to really finding its power and usefulness. I’m thoroughly enjoying the process and look forward to continuing to make progress.
“Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.” Psalms 38:21-22
Gratitude Journal - March 29, 2021 Today, I am grateful for mobile phone cases. While mobile phones have continued to get more durable, the phone-cases have also continued to get better. Accidents and broken screens are now much less frequent, and phones seem to last much longer. For this, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - March 28, 2021 Last night I used some mindfulness techniques to help me fall asleep. I often have to work overnights where I have an opportunity to sleep in between calls (I’m a firefighter/EMT). There are times when I struggle to fall asleep when I am on-call - you know, a different room, a different bed, etc. Last night I initially struggled to get to sleep. However, by simply using some mindfulness techniques, I fell asleep in less than 5 minutes. Plus, my rest seemed more peaceful than usual. I’m very excited about the possibilities this opens up.
“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” John 7:24
