Mindfulness is also about paying attention to our reactions especially the habitual ones. When a negative thought arises, what do we tend to do? Push it away, justify it, ruminate on it or just let it be. Or when the feeling of wanting to give up, do we tend to do so, or how do we try very hard to stay the course? The invitation in this practice is to stop, pause and simply notice as the first step to becoming aware what reactions serve us well or are no longer helpful.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Guide: Noelle Lim
Image credit: Paul Hanaoka, Unsplash
Kindermind Center 