I happen to see an advertisement whilst catching a movie on Boxing Day and it got me thinking about mindfulness.

The advertisement is for Subaru’s Outback four wheel drive – the message delivered by Bella resonated with me.

https://youtu.be/NSzVFb9SKoE

How often have we found ourselves drifting in thought when someone is speaking or when we are in the middle of an experience only to not remember what was said or miss the enjoyment of the experience whilst in its midst?

Christmas and New Year 2019/2020 has given me ample opportunity to practice mindfulness, slow down, reflect, pause & reset. Disconnecting from the constant merry go round of thoughts that detract from what is happening at that very moment has been very satisfying.

For those looking to develop the practice of mindfulness, of pausing and reflecting each day, I can recommend an activity book I stumbled across and purchased at Typo. A question is posed each day and invites one to reflect and write down a thought/s in response and mindfulness is tested in recall.

Have you tried suspending judgement and immersing yourself in the moment? What has been your experience with ‘mindfulness’?

Perhaps we can all try to be attentive to moments like Bella and her mum – echoing the sentiment expressed in the adage which beckons us to “Stop and smell the roses”.