Mindful in May

Posted on by Miriam

This time last year I took part in Mindful in May, a month long global online mindfulness and meditation campaign.  It raised more than $287,000 for much needed clean water to communities throughout third world countries.

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This year the founder is taking a “mindful sabbatical” due to motherhood so it’s been put on hold until 2017.  But I’ve decided to commit to my own personal Mindful in May journey.  I’m a chronic worrier so shifting the focus is a continual challenge for me.

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So that’s what my aim is.  To focus on what’s right in front of me.  To try and push fear aside and live in the moment. This past year’s been hard with much out of my control.  I guess I’ve learned that it’s how I react to things that matters.  And sometimes I need to move more gracefully towards whatever life throws me.  I’m trying hard but I often slip.

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As May unfolds it’s my intention to be more mindful of everything in my world.

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Every stone and every ripple in my life has an affect, in nature.  And in everything.

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I want to be more mindful at home.  Whether it’s gardening, tidying up, doing every day things.  Mundane things that make ordinary moments extraordinary.  Relishing joy.

In response to Mundane Monday Challenge #57 a challenge to find beauty in the ordinary.

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Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky.  Conscious breathing is my anchor – Thich Nhat Hanh

As we enter May here are five ways I’m going to try and stay mindful:

  1. Get up 10 minutes earlier every morning and meditate.
  2. Worry less and go with the flow. To be curious, open and accepting.
  3. Remember to breath deeper.
  4. Set daily goals and feeling a sense of purpose.
  5. Relish joy in the ordinary moments of life.

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Like grounding myself in nature and hugging my massive lemon scented gum tree!

“Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are just that – thoughts.”   Allan Lokos, Pocket Peace: Effective Practices for Enlightened Living

“It’s good to have an end in mind but in the end what counts is how you travel.”  Orna Ross

“Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.”   Eckhart Tolle

My wish is for everyone to be mindful this month.  Let’s all savor the moment and cherish every day and everyone in it.

Enjoy the ride as we all continue the journey.

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105 thoughts on “Mindful in May”

  5. We sound quite alike Miriam as I am a huger worrywart myself. Mediation has been amazing at times of stress and I’ve found some great free stuff online that I can use with my phone. I wish I still could do yoga! I had an injury in my hip that just got worse from all the poses so I’ve been on a break for two years. But yoga is the best at keeping me present and mindful.

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      1. I’ve been feeling terrible lately since we got the puppy! I am really exhausted and don’t do well with sleep deprivation. Hoping I get caught up soon!

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        1. Sleep is so important and a severe lack of it wreaks havoc with our bodies, I know too, I’ve been there. Sending you lots of peaceful calming thoughts that your puppy settles and lets you sleep again. Soon. Hang in there!

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        2. Ever since I hit my 20s I’ve not been a good sleeper. I tend to get insomnia a lot and toss and turn. Oh well. I’ve been so out of it lately that I’m forgetful and a bit weepy. I have fallen behind on the blog and life. The good news is that I am going on a special trip this Saturday. My mom, sister and me are going to Europe for a week. I’m exhausted but it will be really amazing. We haven’t gone on a trip together since my dad had cancer and it is always special times.

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        3. Oh Nicole, it sounds as though you’re well and truly ready for a decent break. One where you’ll hopefully be able to catch up on sleep and just relax and enjoy life. Hope you have a wonderful time with your family. Hugs to you. xo

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  6. What a great way to start the month. Mindfulness is so important. I often find myself stressing over activities that have to be done in the future. I have to remind myself to take a breath too. Thanks for this post. 🙂

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  8. Oh, I, too, worry excessively… often about this over which I have no control. So what will be will be and I should not be worrying! But knowing that changes nothing in my mind. Your list of five things would be great for me to try to do as well. Especially #2 and 5. Hope you have a wonderful day!

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    1. Thanks Sandra, it’s not easy is it? Stopping the needless worry, even when we know we shouldn’t. But you’re right, what will be will be! You have a great day too.

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  10. There’s a quote that I keep on repeating in my mind, “…all things seem possible in May.” It’s keeping my worries away, helping me stay positive. There are life events posing some challenges at the moment. I’m hoping they’ll get resolved soonest.

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  11. Love it, I love that you’re taking a few moments to yourself each morning to meditate. A few moments alone at the beginning or end of the day to reflect and manifest on what you’re doing and looking for are essential. As a massage therapist myself in treating many of my clients over the years I’ve realized that we as women in particular are really bad about slowing down and taking care of ourselves. There’s a certain guilt I believe we feel in taking a few steps back, so when I came across a quote that read “you can’t serve from an empty vessel” I let it become my guiding light. I do what my mind and body tell me to do.

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  14. What a great ambition for the month of May Miriam! I love how you set 5 practical goals for yourself that will make an impact and that you can attain! I know this will be a wonderful month for you! Can’t wait to see how it unfolds 🙂 Sending you lots of light and love!

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  15. Hugging a lemon scented gum tree sounds devine! I’ve just spent the weekend working in the garden digging and tidying up, planting seeds and flowers. I got totally lost in the wonder of new lime green leaves trying to unfurl, the warm smell of soil and grass .. and a robin that followed me around waiting for me to unearth bugs and worms, as a thank you he sang to me. Fabulous post Miriam

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    1. Thank you and what a great comment. You painted such a wonderful picture of your garden, isn’t it amazing how we can lose ourselves so completely in nature. Just love it. 🙂

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  16. Splendid post on mindfulness – a realness of putting it into practice rather than speaking esoterically and abstractly.

    “Feelings, whether of compassion or irritation, should be welcomed, recognized, and treated on an absolutely equal basis; because both are ourselves. The tangerine I am eating is me. The mustard greens I am planting are me. I plant with all my heart and mind. I clean this teapot with the kind of attention I would have were I giving the baby Buddha or Jesus a bath. Nothing should be treated more carefully than anything else. In mindfulness, compassion, irritation, mustard green plant, and teapot are all sacred.”
    ― Thich Nhat Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation

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    1. Yeah too true Minaxi. I’m guilty of that far too often, brooding over the past and future. Need to act on my own words … which I aim to this month! Cheers my friend. xo 🙂

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  22. Hi Miriam,
    So glad to know that although I’m taking a sabbatical on Mindful in May this year – you have been inspired to continue the practice! Hope to have you back next year when the Mindful in May campaign will be back in full swing with thousands around the world meditating and keeping each other accountable all for a good cause. In the meantime for anyone that needs mindful support or resources I do have Mindful in May in a digital book called The Mindful Month over at http://www.mindlifeproject.com/shop. Thought I’d just let you know in case it was of help.

    Happy May!
    Elise
    Founder of Mindful in May

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    1. Hey Elise, I’m so thrilled that you found my post. We met at the dance party at the conclusion of the event last year, which was such a fantastic night. In fact, I nearly posted a picture that I have with you!
      I will definitely be back next year and in the meantime am trying ever so hard to stay mindful! I wish you all the best this year in all that you do. Warmest wishes to you. xo

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  23. I think I might try a mindful May too! Such a good idea to focus on this… It can be so difficult not to worry sometimes, but as they say, most of what you worry about never comes to pass. Enjoying each moment fully is worth striving for 🙂

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  26. I think “Mindful in May” is a lovely idea. You have expressed some beautiful ideas. I love your fire pictures. It is said that you can’t have a care in the world while staring into a fire. I believe I’ll try Mindful in May, too! Nice post! Thanks!

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  30. Love this: “Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are just that – thoughts.” Allan Lokos, Pocket Peace: Effective Practices for Enlightened Living.
    I think I like your blog.
    I think I want to read more. 🙂

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        4. Actually, yes – I feel pretty darned good! When you consider that a cold usually takes about 7 day to blow through and this one is virtually over in 3 days – it’s interesting to think about the power of positive thought. 🙂

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  32. Those are all wonderful goals. 🙂 You will make it, I know!

    My husband is a chronic worrier too, so I can totally relate to that, from an observer’s point of view. It’s hard to comfort worriers because then they worry that you’re only, as my husband puts it, “blowing sunshine up my ass, and not being sincere.”

    I think, and this is pure opinion, that worry stems from fear. And not just any fear but a fear of something happening again. It seems to me to be a learned distrust, and it’s hard to overcome.

    You are taking terrific, purposeful steps to be the boss of your worry and not let it be the boss of you. Sometimes, just taking that first deep breath, to allow yourself a moment before reacting or feeling, can be enough of a buffer zone to help you maintain that mindfulness you’re seeking. You’re doing great, dearheart! Don’t give up and don’t lose faith! You’ve got this. 🙂 *hugs* ❤

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    1. I just found this comment, Vanessa. Thank you my sweet friend for your kind and encouraging words, I agree that it’s partly fear that worry grows from. It’s a hard one to stop though once it takes hold but, like you said, taking those first deep breaths can help to stay in the moment. Hugs to you. xo 🙂

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      1. Oh no worries hon – we all catch up as catch can, right? Here I am several days behind, so I’m am absolutely not one to hold anyone to “comment promptness,” lolol.

        That fear, sometimes all we can do is bitch-slap it into submission. It’s so hard, I know. All I want to do when it hits is crawl under the covers. It’s a fierce foe!

        When my son was little, he developed a wild fear of tornadoes. Every time it rained, he’d freak out. I didn’t know how to help him overcome it. None of my comforting or reassurances worked. One day, in the middle of some strong lightning and thunder, he was nearly in tears with worry. I got this lame idea. I turned toward the window and gave the storm the middle finger. I cursed at it, “Eff you, storm! You can’t hurt us! We’re not afraid of you! Blow and howl all you want because you won’t win!” Apparently the sight of me cursing the wind made my son nearly pee himself laughing. Now he walks into the storms with me when I go to take pictures of it.

        I have faith in you. You’re stronger than you know, and you have lots of love, laughter, family, and friends in your corner. 🙂 *hugs* ❤

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        1. You had me both laughing and crying with your comment. 🙂
          Laughing because I can just picture you giving the storm the finger and cursing it (what a brilliant idea to use with your son to take away the fear of storms) and tearing up at your kind and supportive words at the end. I sense a real friend in you Vanessa and I’m so grateful that you’re there.
          So today when I say “Eff you” to any fears that come up I’ll think of you. Big hugs back. xo 🙂

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