Category: Mindfulness Challenge for the Week

The mindfulness challenge this week has far reaching implications.  My challenge for this week is to become more aware of space.  We typically focus our attention on objects, on their physicality.  For example, if we’re sitting at a table, we are focused on the physical aspects and character of the table and all of the surroundings: the chairs around the table, the objects on the table,  trinkets that may be sitting on top of other tables that are nearby. In other words, when we look, we see the physical objects that occupy the space that engulfs us, not the space itself.

Switch that habit. Switch your channel of attention this week. Focus instead on the space around the objects.  One of the ways to do this exercise (and to discover the power of its hidden implications) is to focus on the leaves or the branches of a tree. We typically only look at the branches themselves. As you look at trees this week, redirect the focus of your attention to the space between the leaves or the branches. You will have to stand still for a few minutes to pull this observational task off.

Look at the space that surrounds objects and you will be amazed at how your consciousness shifts. Be aware of space everywhere as you go through your week, day in and day out.

May you have a delightful and exciting time becoming more aware of the many wonders of the world.  There are millions more wonders than seven!

Robert

© Parkinsons Recovery

The physical setting where we reside, eat, live and enjoy our life is symbolic of our inner health.  Look around where you are currently sitting or standing right now.  Are the physical surroundings tidy, are they orderly?  You might say,

“I’ve never been a tidy or orderly person.  It doesn’t make any sense to me to lead a life that is totally tidy and wrapped up.  I’m just not that type of person.” 

When we clean up the clutter that surrounds our life, we allow the life force to move through our bodies.  We gain energy.

If there is significant clutter that surrounds us where we eat, live and work, it’s likely to be that we’ll feel our life force stifled and stymied.  Now, there are two ways to approach this challenge.  The first approach is to say

“Once I begin feeling better, once my health returns, once I have reversed the symptoms that I have been experiencing then I’ll be able to clean up the mess in my living room, office, kitchen, in my bedroom.  I’ll get to work on that when I feel better.”

A second approach – which as it turns out is also significantly effective – is to simply reverse the process.  You acknowledge,

• “No, I don’t have a lot of energy today.” 
• “No, I’m not feeling particularly well.” 
• “Yes, my symptoms are in my face.” 
• “But, I’m going to simply begin moving to clean up the clutter of my life.” 

Guess what will happen?  You’ll get more energy.  Your life force will begin to flow through every cell of your body.  Your energy will beging to sizzle.

The mindfulness challenge this week is to leave no trace in a place of choosing in your home.  This particular place could be a kitchen, a bedroom, an office or even a corner of an office.  For example, we continuously eat and oftentimes we leave the dishes in the sink without washing them.  If your choice is to focus your challenge of the week on the kitchen do the following.

When you use some dishes, wash them immediately.  Do not leave the dishes in the sink. Do not expect someone else will clean them up. Do not say to yourself

“I’ll attend to that tomorrow.”

The challenge of the week is to be mindful of everything that you use. Honor it. Respect its sacredness. Celebrate the value that it gives to you whether that object be a fork, a spoon, a knife, a plate, a toothbrush, a pencil, a pen or papers.

To summarize, the challenge of the week is to focus on keeping a corner in your home or office tidy throughout the week. When you make a mess, clean it up immediately so that when you leave that space, you leave no trace. It is as if you were never there. Nobody would know, not even a professional detective.

Enjoy yourself this week as you leave no trace in the space of your choosing.

Robert

© Parkinsons Recovery