I talk a lot about mindfulness. Because I believe it is the key to wellness. (And I’m all about wellness!)
But it’s easier said than done to practice mindfulness on a regular basis. There is so much in the past to think about and so much in the future to figure out.
A couple of weeks ago, I was driving with my daughter, Rebecka, to Rochester, MN, which is the “big” city we visit most often when we leave our little rural bubble.
My mind was going a hundred miles per hour like it normally does (unless I’m really focusing on clearing my mind) and possibly acknowledging the music that was playing in the car (Rebecka is the best DJ ever).
During car rides, I often plague Rebecka with stream of consciousness conversations. Because how often do you have your teenager (or anybody) as a captive audience? And isn’t talking more fun than sitting quietly with your thoughts?
(This car ride was no different.)
I think a lot about food. When am I going to eat next? What am I going to eat? Will it include veggies? (You get the picture.) At some point during our drive, I started thinking about dinner and the following conversation ensued:
Me: “So, Noodles for dinner?”
R: “Do you have a constant stream of thoughts running through your head?”
Me: “Yeah. Don’t you?”
R: “No.”
Me: “So what’s in your head?”
R: “Nothing. I’m just enjoying the music.”
WOW. My 16-year-old has mastered a state of being that I strive for every day. (Perhaps I had mastered it at one point when I was young. And forgot. Who knows?)
It totally inspired me to continue to practice mindfulness until I get to that place where all I’m doing is listening to the music.
That’s what my teenager taught me.
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