by KATHY WILSON
I witnessed my first seasonal road rage yesterday. 2 cars. Much swearing and many hand gestures. Nothing seemed to be resolved and everyone drove off steaming and unhappy
How did I know it was seasonal road rage, not just the garden variety kind?
One of the cars (and believe me I wish I was making this up) had an enormous Christmas tree strapped to its roof racks.
Last week, school bells rang out around the country for the last time in 2012. Desperate parents have started to scour internet lists for cheap ways to entertain kids that don’t involve killing animated characters or dancing like Madonna on an off day.
Shopping centres have started to fill up and have taken on a slightly desperate feel as if someone was pumping some kind of chemical though the air conditioners.
People are wandering around muttering things like “haven’t even started my Christmas shopping yet…” and “please God, don’t make me spend Christmas Day again with Great Uncle Joe. ….”
None of it’s new and, despite what Great Uncle Joe says, it’s probably not much worse than it was in 1956.
This year, though, I am bringing with me a new tool to my festive season.
Mindfulness.
“Really?” I can hear you say. “Not gin?”
Mindfulness is an ancient, non religious form of meditation that had its beginnings in the teachings of the Buddha more than 2000 years ago (but don’t let that put you off).
Top Comments
A great practical read before christmas! I have 'focus' tattooed to my wrist to remind myself to be mindful-especially in stressful times.
Mindfulness takes meditation 'off the mat' and into your everyday life. It takes practice, but gosh, it's worth it. The ability to switch from your 'thinking mind' to your 'observing mind' allows you to detach yourself from your thoughts. There is great peace in just being. And you never stop learning. Buddhists talk about 'beginners mind', so you go into this practice knowing you will never master it, you'll just constantly see improvements. As you can see, I'm a big fan, and I'm always telling friends and family about it. I am now grateful for my battle with anxiety, because without it, I would never have discovered mindfulness and compassion for myself.
Hi Sarah
I too have terrible anxiety issues. I would love to learn more about mindfulness. Do you have any tips for a beginner?