ACT and Mindfulness in Action

ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT) – AN ONLINE RESOURCE

Q:  How can I stop chasing my tail?

A:  Try a little Mindfulness!

Mindfulness is a real buzz word these days.  In an external world of increasing busyness it can be hard to find a place of peace.  In an internal world of spinning thoughts and constant conjecture it can be difficult to switch off.

The fact that Mindfulness is finding such popularity nowadays speaks for itself.  In such a hectic world more and more of us are looking for a way to slacken off the pace.  Mindfulness seems to offer an answer.  It is simple but it is not easy; it is relatively quick to learn and its benefits are relatively quickly felt; it is always at hand, as near as our next breath.

When we are going round in circles, both in the external and the internal world, Mindfulness can help us to find a way out.

I wrote “MINDFULNESS IN ACTION” to remind me of that.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

• How do you use Mindfulness in your life?
• When do you find it most useful?
• 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

MINDFULNESS IN ACTION

 

If Mind is busy wandering let’s bring it back to base,

Pay attention to our breathing and let’s slacken off the pace,

And let’s feel the life force fill us, energising everywhere,

This is Mindfulness in action, taking time to be aware.

Every moment it is possible, this being here and now,

When we notice Mind’s hijacking us, but now we won’t kowtow

To its constant little stories or its subtle siren calls,

We have skills we now can draw upon and so the hijack stalls.

And when we are in position, pure awareness kicking in,

Let’s explore what now is happening, outside us and within,

And let’s tune in to our senses, give them leave to roam around,

Let us sharpen our antennae, feel a touch, enjoy a sound.

There is so much we are missing when we’re hostage to our Mind,

When we disregard our senses which, too often left behind

May become a little deadened, dampened down through lack of use,

It maybe we’ll have to woo them back, take time to them seduce.

And so if we have been neglectful of our senses let us say

That we’ll take some time for Mindfulness, a little every day,

And then in time we’ll come to realise what can be hard to see,

That though a thinking Mind’s a marvel, it’s not all there is to me.

© Corinne Shields, 2016

If you enjoyed, “MINDFULNESS IN ACTION” 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 …..

I really like the idea that Mindfulness is:

“simple but not easy.”

It makes you think that it is accessible, and it is.  It make you think that it is for all of us, not just the clever dicks, and it is.  It makes you think that if you put some effort into it then you can achieve results, and you can.

Christopher Bergland at Psychology Today has written a great article entitled “Mindfulness Made Simple”.  I really enjoyed it.  I’ll quote the opening paragraph to give you a flavour:

“Mindfulness has become a buzzword that is often misinterpreted.  What is mindfulness?  How can it benefit you?

Mindfulness is much more basic than most people realize.  In fact, I’ve isolated 3 easy steps to kick-start a state of mindfulness in a few seconds.  To kick-start a state of mindfulness all you have to do is:

STOP.  BREATHE.   THINK ABOUT YOUR THINKING.  Anybody can use this simple mindfulness technique throughout the day to stay calm, focused, optimistic and kind.”

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