What are your mornings like?
For most of us, we hit the ground running before we’ve even taken a consensus on how we are doing. We go from morning to night being everything to everyone. Our culture supports this way of living.
But is it working?
What is it producing in our mental, emotional and physical health?
Studies show it isn’t good. We happen to be a very stressed out and maxed out culture in all three realms just mentioned. To remedy this a lot of talk has begun about becoming mindful. But what is mindfulness anyway? And, for people of faith, is it biblical?
The definition of mindful reads; “a mental state of focusing ones awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting ones feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations”.
Anyone else picturing someone sitting crosslegged and calmly humming “om” ? 😉
While the bible actually has lot’s of good things to say about meditation (more on that another time) what I want to talk about today is the last part of the definition of mindfulness. It is very beneficial for our total health to slow down and become aware of where we are and what is happening inside and outside of us. The science weighs in on this. However, I believe the last part of this definition gives us the process to experiencing deep emotional and relational healing from this practice.
It isn’t about simply becoming aware of ourselves, but also accepting of ourselves. What good is becoming mindful of yourself if you judge and discount everything you discover? In fact studies show this internal criticism produces a lot of stress on our systems.
I believe the bible actually gives us some guidance here. In a highly favoured scripture we are encouraged to love ourselves. Did you know that? There’s actually a command to do it!
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 NLT)
We are invited to love others in the same way we ought to be loving ourselves. Another way to think about the word “love” is “value”. I find it helpful to use this term instead of love sometimes since the word love is so over used and familiarized.
A way we learn to show value or love for ourselves is to develop a non-judgemental attitude towards what is going on inside. Becoming mindful, is taking some time to really listen to yourself and honour yourself. You are not just reacting for no reason – there is a reason. There are parts inside of you that have very good points to make about that decision you are struggling with. Maybe you are just a bit overwhelmed by everything that has happened.
Permission to be human granted.
It’s important for us to become a safe place for our own hearts to tell us what’s going on.
The link between our ability to love others and our ability to love ourselves is inextricable and this bible verse ties the two together well.
So, what could our mornings look like if we applied this? Or maybe that brief amount of time you have after lunch…or the evening?
I will be posting ideas on how to bring this powerful practice into our lives but for now freestyle! Find a few moments today to simply be where you are; be thankful for that moment; and see if you can hear what is going on inside of you. Journaling can be very helpful for this but some people prefer voice memos or even talking out loud to someone. You will find what works for you.
This moment right here, you are alive, breathing and a thoughtful individual (my goodness you stopped to take a few minutes to read this!!). Heaven has so much value for you. Take a moment to bring that value into the reality of your experience.
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