How To Be More Mindful

Easter means many things. It is a reminder of the depths of God’s love. It is a reminder of what humanity means. It is a time to reflect on what it is to be human, to accept the beauty of being human, and to be more hopeful and compassionate as we look at the world, and others around, with renewed eyes and a refreshed sense of gratitude.

Being more mindful of yourself and the world around you is an excellent way to celebrate this holiday weekend. In fact, being more mindful is an excellent way to celebrate your life in general.

What does it mean to be mindful?

“Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally,” according to Marsha Lucas, Ph.D, psychologist and author of Rewire Your Brain for Love.

How can you be more mindful this Easter weekend, so that you can benefit more from and better appreciate all the gifts that have been given to you?

Breathe. Be more mindful of how you’re breathing. Breathe in deeply and out deeply as often as possible throughout the day.

Focus. Pay more attention to what you’re doing and why and how. This includes everyday activities as well, such as washing the dishes and getting dressed.

Be Grateful. Make a list of all the things you’re grateful for in your life.

Pray. Pray and/or meditate throughout the weekend.

Be Inspired. Think of a passage, quote or mantra that speaks to you, and let it inspire you throughout the weekend.

Observe. Try to observe everything around you. This can be done in your house, at church, during a walk, even at the grocery store.

Take Time. Take your time with mindfulness. Experts say that being mindful several times a day is more helpful than a lengthy session or even a weekend retreat. If 20 minutes works for you, great. If 5 minutes works for you, great.