SKILLS TO DEVELOP OUR MIND

LIFE SKILLS - MINDFUL METER

Just stop for a moment and reflect on your mindful meter. Where are you right now on a scale of 0 to 10? If it is a number lower down on the scale you might experience scattered, stressed or antsy feelings. Take a deep breath and become aware of your own feelings.

Label this feeling like this:

'I can see i am feeling really annoyed right now.'
'Ah, here comes my old friend worry, wonder what it has to say today.'

As you became aware of these feelings, see them slowly fade away. Take a deep breath and focus your mind on something that gives you a feeling of immense pleasure, love and a sense of gratitude. Amp it up till you start feeling it in every cell of your body. It could actually give you a tingling sensation. Enjoy that sensation and then go back and check your mindful meter again. Do not give it up if you feel that it has not gone up very high. Mindfulness is also a skill that takes time to develop. Carry that mindful meter with you and you will start noticing the difference. You could use certain cues to help you initially - every time your mobile rings or the number of times you stop at a traffic light. Whenever i am interacting with my children and sense an irritation or annoyance in myself, I try to put a check on my midful meter. As soon as i label my feeling, i see it slowly dissolve and i am ready to be present to them more mindfully rather than just react mindlessly.