Last week's challenge was the toughest one yet. It was to write down every single regret on a piece of paper and then apply the L steps to each.
So, how'd it go? We're not quite done with that challenge, so please hold on to that list
until the end of this blog.
This week, we're discussing the place where the L-steps can take us. We can learn to live now, in mindfulness in a world of distraction.
Now, there are a lot of different definitions of mindfulness on the internet, but one of our favorites includes two main concepts:
Self-regulation of attention so it is focused on the present moment. We like to call that grabbing your own ears.
Taking an open, curious, accepting, non-resistant stance toward life's experiences. We like to call that “take life as coaching.”
In his amazing book, The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle tells us (If you don't have that book on your bookshelf, please go get it now) to realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the now the primary focus of your life.
Now, that may or may not actually be all we have. I’ll leave that to the spiritual
leaders and the quantum physicists. But one thing we know for sure is it is
absolutely all we have control over–and we know obsessing over that which we
have no control is futile.
Although mindfulness has been around for thousands of years, it seems to have
fairly recently become a huge part of modern culture. Even my iPhone reminds me to breathe and be mindful. It seems like everyone agrees that mindfulness is beneficial to achieve. However, few are actually telling us how to do it.
All that being said, I have really good news. If you've been participating in our mind, body, and spirit challenge from the first video–and earnestly participating in each challenge–you already have the basic training to achieve mindfulness in a world of distraction. Every lesson, every challenge up until now has already been empowering you with the life tools to live the life you have left completely present and fully engaged.
That's the journey we're already on. This week's challenge has the power to permanently change your life's experience. Find someone who loves you and already knows about all those regrets you have written down on that list.
Go outside, find someplace safe. Take the list and set it on fire. You see, you don't need them anymore. Good luck with the challenge.