Listen
Hi, Thinking Out Loud here :D
Welcome to Mindful Monday Week 10
Here is the link for this week's playlist to listen to whilst you read. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/58N60jzH03lwVmmGhKwp4M?si=8a95e8e7a1f94026
If an ad plays, please just pause on reading as hopefully the playlist is timed right for this blog post.
Get a drink, maybe even a snack, and find a comfy seat so you can relax. Let go of all worries and enjoy the next five deep breaths. If you have breathing problems, please take an extra mindful moment here. For those joining me in the breathing exercise, breathe out.
Now time for your first deep breath; take one deep breath in through your nose for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1..2.. breath out through your mouth for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1.. Breath in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1..2.. And out through for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1.. Breathe in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1..2.. And out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1.. two more to go; breath in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1..2.. And out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1.. last one deep breath in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1..2.. And out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1.. now go back to your regular breathing pattern. I hope you now feel calm and relaxed.
This week is all about listening.
Take the time to listen to your body and when it's telling you to rest or get some fresh air. We can learn a great deal about what works and what doesn’t work by listening to what our body says.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been listening to mine; I’ve slowed right down, which is what my body needs at this moment in time. It needs rest and lots of it, which means that many things I love have had to take a back seat. But I’m learning that that is ok, especially right now. I need to listen to my body, how much it can handle and when it needs a break.
For some, listening to your body might not come naturally. It is a learning curve and one that can take a while. But, like with everything new, a little bit of practice goes a long way in perfecting the right amount of balance for rest and being active.
There is a fine line between too much rest and overdoing the physical exercise. It’s a balance I know I’m still trying to find; at the moment, resting is outweighing exercise, but I know I will get back to short yoga sessions soon before building up to longer ones again. This is my preferred workout, which might be completely different to yours, so please do what works for you as we are all beautifully different.
Listen can also be for those of us who maybe don’t take the time to listen to those around us. Perhaps it’s because we are so caught up in our own thoughts or what we are saying that we forget to take the time to listen to other people. So this week, for those of us who need to listen to people more, slow down, say what you have to say, and listen to what everyone else is saying. What they say may just be of value to you, and you might learn something about the person you didn’t know before.
If you haven’t done this before with someone, they may appreciate you taking the time to hear them. Everyone likes to be heard, but not everyone is heard. So start by making a difference and seeing how it changes for not only the person talking but also you. It can be a pretty special thing when everyone is heard and not just one person pushing their own ideas, thoughts or opinions before giving everyone else a chance.
You might not agree with the person talking, that's ok; you don’t have to; also, keep in mind that just like they might not agree with what you say. Still valuing what they say, hearing them, and acknowledging them can go a long way. It's perfectly fine to disagree with them after hearing what they say. But, please still be respectful of what they have said, as I hope they do the same with you.
Let's finish with a three-deep breath breather.
Take one deep breath in through your nose for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1..2.. breath out through your mouth for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1.. breath in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1..2.. and out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. final breath in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. hold for 1..2.. last breath out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. no hold here you can now go back to your regular breathing pattern.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this week's Mindful Monday. I really do appreciate everyone who takes the time to read them and listens to what I have to say.
Love always
Thinking Out Loud xx :D
Be kind, be gentle, and above all, be yourself.
