Where to now? A Mindful Approach To A New Year.

Approaching The New Year With Mindful Intent.

With the onset of another new year here how do we know where to go? How do we mindfully set out with positivity, self-compassion, and understanding in determining what is right for our own personal growth and development.

Many people set out to make New Year's resolutions with the intent of improving themselves from last years shortcomings. 

The very essence that someone recognizes in themselves that there is an opportunity for growth is such a beautiful realization and should be celebrated. 

Some people don't have this insight while others minimize and write it off.

After many years myself of making goals and resolutions and not achieving what I had set out to do became routine until I approached these growth opportunities with mindful appreciation.

First, consider the deep meaning of the words resolution or goal.

They're both very hard, binary, cold, and unforgiving. They're words used in a business setting and not necessarily appropriate for personal growth.

Instead, I have adopted the word 'intention'. Intention is forgiving, warm, and compassionate. If I am slightly short of what I set out to do I'm allowed to say 'I did my best'.

Whereas if you didn't meet your goal or resolution, you've failed. 

That's very hard on a person and doesn't allow for life to unfold as it will. One lesson in mindfulness is to be kind to yourself.

For example, if you set out to read 10 books this year and sometime in late summer a life event happens that alters your pattern you may find out that you've read eight. 

If you've used the word goal or resolution you've failed in what you've set out to do.

If you've used the word intention you understand that something significant happened over the course of your life and you had to make a caring adjustment. You still read eight wonderful books that you might not have read at all.

Realizing right from the beginning that our very own verbiage we chose to use sets us on a positive, uplifting path or conversely along a path that is hard, cold, and unforgiving.

Secondly, allow for flexibility. No one can see the future, not even into the very next moment. Remember impermanence? 

Impermanence is knowing that all we see, feel, and is in existence will some time in the future not exist. That includes your current state and station as well.

For example, we are still experiencing the effects of COVID and all of it's variants. In 2019 we had no foresight nor understanding as to what 2020 or 2021 would bring. Yet alone what will happen in 2022.

So to gain a more compassionate understanding, here and now, I invite you to reflect on any 'goals' or 'resolutions' that were not able to be fulfilled during those years?

Do you or did you feel that you were a 'failure'? I certainly hope not. 

As challenging as it was, and still is, you were understanding and embraced a sense of openness towards what would unfold the next day.

So in walking along your path towards your own unfolding, continue to embrace this same mindful openness and compassion with your own 2022 intentions.

Happy New Year.  

I wish you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization

Mindfulness: Setting Up Your Home Office and Working from Home

Setting Up Your Mindful Workspace.

With the challenging times we are facing here in the US and across the world some companies are requiring their employees to work from home entirely. To some, this may seem bittersweet, no commute, no traffic, no one around you to disturb you but now needing to pay attention to social distancing and everything that comes along with mitigating the spread of the Corona virus.

Setting up your home office to work efficiently is not an easy task as you may have found out or are about to. I’ve worked from home for about 5 years now and am happy to share some tips to help you work mindfully in your new surroundings.

Extra Time. One of the first things you’ll notice is the time you’ve saved getting ready in the morning. No more traffic or early morning showers can easily add 2 hours to your day, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should sleep in late or work more hours.

Develop a routine. This may not be as easy as it sounds because you’re now in a new work dynamic regardless of your location. Expect difficulties, accept that they will occur, and find a solution. What you come up with at first may not be what you end up with. Keep that in mind and be flexible as you find what works best for you.

Exercise. Now that you don’t have to commute to a work location use that time to take care of yourself. You don’t need to spend an entire hour working out at home as 30 – minutes is enough. YouTube has great contributors with content to suit your needs. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect to your being.

No TV. Keep it off. It’s an unnecessary distraction and prohibits you from focusing on the task at hand.

Work Laptop. If your company has provided you with a computer don’t use it for personal use. No email, no bill paying, no reading anything on it that does not relate to your job.

Office location. Make sure it’s comfortable for you and do not work on your bed or bedroom. Your bedroom should not be a work environment but should be where you retreat after a long day.

Office set-up. It doesn’t need to be fancy; it only needs to be serene and comfortable.

Breaks. Like working at your former physical office location where you had breaks why not do the same here. Work for 2-3 hours and then take a 15-20-minute break.

Lunch. Take it! Don’t answer emails or calls. This is your time to reconnect with your being.

End of your day. When your workday is over, it’s over. Respect the boundary between your professional life and your personal life. If you let either encroach on the other, you end up being unbalanced with the harmony you’re working so hard to develop.

I understand this is a new experience for most and am more than happy to help in any way I can. Please feel free to reach out and I will do all I can.

Wishing you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Meditation And Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.