ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT) – An Online Resource
Q: How can I feel good more often?
A: Do what you love more often.
I am writing this post partly because I am participating in Writeful Mind’s Feel-Good Friday, and also because of something I read recently at The WellnessWorx , a post entitled “Don’t Measure or Judge your Journey.”
Gabriela’s post at The Wellness Worx reminded me that sometimes we can get so wrapped up in doing something for a reason that we completely forget that the action, whatever it is, can be sufficient in itself. We don’t have to do something because of this or that. We can just do it for its own sake.
I suppose this is what ACT means by being present. When we are fully present to whatever it is that we are doing then the activity takes on an additional richness. When we do not contaminate it with evaluations or judgements, expectations or fears and just immerse ourselves in the experience of the here and now we are becoming more mindful. Mindfulness means just that. Being open to what is happening here and now.
I want to thank Carol at “Feel-Good Friday” for hosting this weekly event. It makes me think all week about something that I can post on Friday which is to do with “promoting self-care and me-time.”
I was thinking about it yesterday and it inspired me to write this poem, “DOING WHAT WE LOVE”. Why? Because when we are doing what we love that is a sure-fire way to feel good!
So thank you Carol.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
- What do you do that makes you feel good?
- What could you do more of so that you feel good more often?
- What can you share that might be of help to others?
Please leave your comments. I would love to hear from you.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
POEM FOR TODAY
DOING WHAT WE LOVE
Just do it for the pleasure, don’t just do it for the gain,
Don’t just do it for the glory or the fame you might attain,
But enjoy the flame within you as creation sparks anew,
If you love what you are doing, what you’re doing is good for you.
If you make the world’s approval the hall-mark of your success
Then you’ll always be a hostage to its fancies more or less
As it changes the parameters, a little here and there
Until the more you try to please it, it appears the less to care.
And so don’t disrespect the glow inside if it is now about,
And don’t let the world’s approval be enough to snuff it out,
For it’s an irony exquisite, what we seek most things above
Is the feeling that we’re feeling when we’re doing what we love.
© Corinne Shields, 2015
If you enjoyed, “DOING WHAT WE LOVE” please pass it on, and do leave your comments. I would love to hear from you.
And just before you go …..
A final word from ACT …..
One of the pillars of ACT is Mindfulness, being open to what is happening in the here and now. When we are doing something that we love you would think that would be a sure-fire way to feel good. If we do what we love more often, surely then we would feel good more often. Yes, up to a point.
The problem is when we let all those niggly thoughts and worries creep in and pull us away from the present moment, from the potential enjoyment that we could experience from doing what we love.
ACT reminds us that developing our Mindfulness skills will help us to stay in the present moment more often and for longer. We can only do what we love in the present moment, so when we are doing it let’s give ourselves a chance to experience it more fully.
I have recommended a great Mindfulness Book before and I do so again.
Mark Williams’ and Danny Penman’s book is a great introduction to Mindfulness. It comes with an accompanying CD and I still use it regularly.
Which brings us to the ACTivation Point!
SO ……………………….
How about YOU?
What can YOU do just for today to ACTivate your life?
Just for today I will ………………………
If you have read this far, please do leave your comments. How is ACT helping you?
I am a student of ACT. I am on a journey. I would love you to join me.
With all good wishes
Corinne
ACT Made Lyrical 
What a inspirational post to wake up too! You reminded me to stop and be in my the “present ” moment. I needed this lesson today. I even ordered the book. You always point the way, Connie! I am greatful.
Sharon
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I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Writing the poem certainly helped me to move from there to here and to end up in a better place. I am sure you will enjoy the book. I hope you love it as much as I do. X
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Presently feeling very content; blue skies and a lovely walk around my local beauty spot. Another lovely thought and poem from you Corinne! Xx
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And you have a date with your very best friend later. Lovely for both of us. Xx
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I completely agree with this. This is one of the things that I do regularly which has been a huge help for my situation. I also have the book and use it often and I make time to do things that I love. I crochet a lot – which is a great activity for promoting mindfulness as are the adult colouring books. X
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I am so glad to hear from someone who puts these concepts into practice. It is one thing talking the talk it is quite another walking the walk, especially when things get difficult. And doing something creative, whatever it is, takes us out of ourselves, our smaller selves, and seems to me to be mindfulness in practice. Xx
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What an amazing journey you are on indeed Corinne. The path of ACT is truly leading you to such a high level of self-awareness. To be able to have the mindfulness that this is important and how to incorporate it into your being is inspiring. Thanks for a great post Corinne.
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Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Emily. It is lovely to be back in contact. When I wasn’t blogging you were one of the people I missed the most. Xx
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You are truly too sweet Corinne. I know we are kindred spirits and I missed you as well. So thrilled to have you back.
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Sweet dreams xx
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A beautiful poetry tribute to the thought, Corinne. I enjoyed this so much. Thank you for letting me have a little inspirational role in this! Love that. ” we can get so wrapped up in doing something for a reason that we completely forget that the action, whatever it is, can be sufficient in itself. ” So wonderfully put. Thank you for expanding on mindfulness and using ACT. Even just the question and answer itself is so true and a great thought to bring to consciousness.
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Thank you so much, Gabriele, both for the inspiration and the comment. I hope you had a feel Good Friday too. I have spent the day doing things that I love and trying to be mindful whilst doing them, and it does make a difference. Xx
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How nice! It is around noon here and I am just about to do a little writing then take some time to be outside today, so I will keep practicing the mindfulness as well 🙂
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Enjoy! We are just hunkering in for the night! X
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WOW, Corinne. This is spot on. I enjoyed this poem very much. There is a line that particularly spoke to me. “the more you try to please it, it appears the less to care”. Wow, so true.
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I know!!! And sadly there are plenty more where this came from. I am on a bit of a roll at the moment about detaching from the approval of the world! I think that that way freedom lies, but I am still in the process of convincing myself!
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I can’t wait to read more on this topic. Have a great one, Corinne!
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The weirdest thing just happened. I was surfing around and I came across the latest post from The Seeds 4 Life on just this topic. I am working up a post based on it and I think you would like it too. Its entitled “You are successful the moment you start moving toward a worthwhile goal” – Charles Carlson. Enjoy!
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Wow, thank you Corinne. Can’t wait.
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Your Feel-Good Friday posts are truly inspirational, Corinne! I am so delighted that participating in my event helps you and I hope that you’ll continue to do so and spread the word so that others can get their me-time in.
{Big hugs}
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It gives me focus for a regular post, Carol. What I write about, ie ACT, is about trying to change our lives for the better so it fits in neatly with Feel-Good Friday. Wishing you a Feel-Good Monday too. Xx
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Hope your entire week is a Feel-Good one! 🙂 {Hugs}
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What an amazing resource and page love it so glad I discovered it! I am a mental health nurse and have trained in ACT, love it, and also a yoga and mindfulness teacher this is super page and I will use this to inform my practices and work. Thank you so much!
Warm wishes xx
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Hi Kelly, So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Warm wishes corinne
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