How does being mindful help you navigate the ups and downs of illness?
Fear, anger, and grief ride in the slipstream of illness. It can be overwhelming.
If you train your mind to focus on one small piece of reality, the overwhelm diminishes. While you’re holding focus, you discover that the emotions – and even some uncomfortable physical sensations – that seemed so huge come and go. Understanding their changeability robs them of some of their power.
Placing your attention on your sense perceptions, reality becomes richer. You can slow down and experience the lovely sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes around you.
Breathing in
breathing out
in this moment
in this body
Tires swish
through new snow
in the street
outside the window
gentle aches
in neck and back
give way
as muscles relax
In this moment
all is well