Mindfulness as a Crutch
No matter where you are, who you are, or when you are...we are always taking in information. Collecting it, processing it, being overwhelmed by it, judging it, and sometimes taking it in stride. Our brains primarily work on addition, so what goes in the brain stays in the brain. Developmentally, we are required to adjust to how we receive and hold onto information. As babies, the world is quiet traumatic when we enter it...just picture the birthing process. It is no wonder why we come out screaming and crying.
As we grow older, we find ways to focus differently...on our priorities, on our distractions, on others. When we are sitting with someone else, be it family member or a client, we are taking in a lot. Our senses grab on to any and everything that is moving while our minds try to process and understand it, gearing us up to do something...or nothing.
Just because we take it all in, doesn't mean we have to do something with it. This is where mindfulness meditation has been helpful for me because it has given me my choice back. I used to become very overwhelmed when I would spread myself thin with different responsibilities and tasks. I've always known myself to be very observant (my friends jokingly would call me "Obso'') and actually quiet aware of this. This would become problematic for certain deadlines, tasks, or relationships. Practicing mindfulness allowed me to better take in what was happening around me by also choosing what is most important, without pulling away from my own direction.
Living in Philadelphia has certainly given me more to take in than living in rural parts of South Louisiana and Georgia for most of my life. In just walking my dogs, I have so much more to be aware of....other dogs, traffic, stopping my dogs from eating off the street buffet, not stepping in poop that someone didn't pick up, the familiar faces, strangers.
One day last week, I was walking with my wife to go get some gelato; something I recommend trying Mindful Eating with. As usual, I was taking in everything around while also maintaining a meaningful conversation with her about her first week at her new job. We were going to a new place and I try not to use Google Maps because it is easier for me to learn where I'm going when I'm the one going, if you know what I mean. Anyway, as we were walking, I noticed the arm cushion of a crutch resting next to a trash can. Several blocks later, I notice a guy holding a set of crutches with one of the cushions missing. As we eventually crossed paths, I mentioned to him where I saw the cushion and he was so thankful , surprised, and relieved. My wife initially had no idea why I was talking to a stranger about his crutches and then confused on how in the world I knew what I knew about the cushion and that it belonged to this guy.
I didn't know that the cushion had any significance when I saw it on the street, but I took it in. Being aware of it is what allowed me to easily put two and two together when I saw the cushionless crutch guy walking toward us. Being mindful requires purposeful attention to things going on, whether listening to your partner, walking the dogs, or seeing that someone needs something. Sometimes it may be helpful to take a step back from all that you are taking in and see what you are holding onto. This might allow you to let go of something heavy or allow you to notice your crutch.
Intentionally,
Brandon