A New Beginning

Change can be difficult to deal with. It comes with new priorities, responsibilities, and more things to think about than where you just were. Whether starting a new semester, a new job, or moving to a new place, change can be quiet a challenge. Over a month ago, I moved from the South (where I have been all of my life) to the Northeast. 

I was living in South Georgia with my wife for four years before this big change. During that time, I managed a mental health outpatient clinic, provided individual and group therapy, and decided to pursue my second master's degree. I also discovered "mindfulness meditation," received training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, identified and became aware of my character strengths, and started writing the mindfulness in counseling sessions. 

This was a very stressful time because it was accompanied by so many challenges, obstacles, and changes. Thankfully with a consistent mindfulness practice, I was able to learn how to balance all these stressors a bit more effectively and mindfully. In doing so, I was able to grow more as a person, as a counselor, and as a supervisor. So even though there was plenty of change, I actually became more comfortable with my weekly schedule. Driving ninety minutes a day, working over forty hours a week, full time graduate school, making it to six years with my wife. All of these things took time and energy. And you can rest assure that negative self-talk, beliefs, and internal obstacles were definitely present along the way. Mindfulness just helped them not be so loud. 

I have found some motivation in meditating several days in a row and while in Georgia I once went 393 days in a row. I recently dropped most of my routines from the past four years and have been transitioning to a new job, new city, and new way of living. In the last month, I have practiced for maybe five days and none of them were recently. That's not to say I haven't been mindful, because I have...I can't tell you the last time I missed a belt loop when dressing. 

Even without a consistent practice, I have been able to smoothly transition to such a big change. With stress of course, but just not as heavy...not as stressful. Enjoyable actually. Every day. Every new restaurant. Every new client. Every new session. Enjoyable. I now work in a new mental health clinic and I would like to begin practicing mindfulness meditation more regularly. 

So, in honor of embracing change and new beginnings, I would like to begin my practice as you begin yours. Whether starting a new semester of college, a new relationship, or a new day...I encourage you to be mindful, it may make things much easier and enjoyable. 

Intentionally,

Brandon