How my mindful day went....

Well, I didn't make it the whole day but for a first try I think I did well.

No tv, no radio, no computer -- those were the toughies. Started feeling withdrawal by early afternoon. Almost gave in but instead kept busy - mostly mindully - doing chores, tidying, cleaning. Yes, my mind wandered but I usually remembered to bring it back to what I was doing. It's easy to do so when I'm reorganizing something because I do have to think about what I'm doing. Sorted several kitchen cupboards. It's incredibly difficult to do chores slowly when I'm used to do them as quickly as possible. Attempted not to think about what I'd be doing next, just to think about what I was doing right then.

The weather was crap today so I never got a nice, long, mindful walk in the woods. I do have a clean house though! The long, hot soak in bubblebath was quite pleasant and relaxing.

Had dinner at about 6pm and by then I was tired and felt a strong need for some input. So I played the dvd about Thich Nhat Hanh that I'd never finished watching. After that I watched a couple of shows on tv and it wasn't until 9pm that I turned on the computer.

Day of mindfulness this weekend

Well...husband took a trip to London to visit his daughter so I've got my day of mindfulness coming up this Saturday. As someone who is addicted to the internet and having the tv on in the background, this is going to be a definite challenge. I'll be doing this day as suggested by Thich Nhat Hanh. Music is allowed but only if I'm just listening to music and doing it mindfully. Talking is to be avoided for a beginner unless it can be done totally mindfully. So I'll keep this to a short chat on the phone with hubby, and probably a brief hello to passersby if the weather in dry enough to go for a walk on my favourite trail.

Doing chores slowly and not with the mindset to get it over it as quickly as possible will be another challenge. I intend to do several sessions of meditation. Healthy food only and not too heavy. A long soak in the tub as suggested.

I try to wash my dishes slowly and mindfully but always find it tough. I try to get it done so that I can do what I'd rather be doing....have a cuppa tea, watch telly or get on the computer. So since I won't have anything to rush to do on this day I'll probably find it easier. I'll be doing quite a bit of reading - all of it on Buddhism - one of my many TNH books.