The beauty of meditation is that it helps us bring our mind and awareness back to the present moment. We spend so much time ruminating over the past or worrying about the future, that we are neglecting to seize the moment, and we forget that all we have at any one time, is the present.
If we are rooted in the present moment, not only does life’s beauty and intricacy become more apparent, we are also calmer and happier, we can think more clearly and be more productive.
Whereas if we allow ourselves to get carried away with our thoughts, our mind becomes clouded, this over time can give rise to feelings of anxiety or depression and make us more prone to making mistakes, which can in turn lower our self-esteem. The power of being present in this respect cannot be underestimated.
Who would have thought that something so seemingly simple could have the power to transform our lives?
A life-changing practice
When you practice mindfulness and meditation regularly, it has the effect of bringing more awareness to any negative thought patterns, bad habits, or addictions that we may have. These negative thoughts and behaviors, if left to run riot, hold us back in life and prevent us from reaching our full potential.
Meditation provides us with an opportunity to step back and look at our thoughts and behaviors from an objective standpoint. Bringing this to our awareness helps to put us back in the driver’s seat and regain control.
The link between mindfulness and gratitude
Over time, through mindfulness and meditation practice, we slowly start to rid our mind and body of any lingering agitation or irritability. We become calmer, begin to connect with our breath, and realize that there is a well of calm and stability already present inside of us. This has the effect of making us feel more grounded, self-assured, and with that, more grateful for the small blessings in life.
Whether it be the rise and fall of our chest as we breathe, the sound of birdsong or the smell of a rose, we can learn to find joy in the small things. The world is brought to life and takes on a whole new meaning.
Meditation for personal growth
Meditation and mindfulness is an excellent tool for personal growth for many reasons;
- Regular practice improves your ability to focus and capacity for concentration, helping you become more productive and able to achieve your goals.
- Becoming more aware of our habits and thought patterns helps us recognize what is holding us back in life so we can work towards removing any obstacles to success.
- It helps make us more creative and flexible in our thinking – studies show that regular practice improves problem-solving abilities and our ability to conceive of novel and original ideas.
- It can help us become more empathetic, emotionally resilient, and improve our communication. This supports our emotional well-being and can help us develop and cultivate long-lasting relationships with others.
In summary, meditation and mindfulness help us live life to the fullest. It can help us truly connect with what matters in life and make us happier, healthier, and more content with what we have. Regular practice will gradually enable us to clarify what our goals are in life and provide us with the tools that we need to achieve them.
