Mindfulness → Wellness → Greatness

Are we mindful even when our minds are full?

Our lives are made up of chapters, patterns, and seasons.

History rarely repeats itself and it often rhymes.

What fires together, wires together. Whether it be an everyday movement we often do, a repeated message we often say, or an unconscious habit we often follow—threads of routine become cables over time through repetition. One main question remains: are the activities we consistently do bringing us closer or further away from our goals?

Winners and losers have similar aims yet different destinies.

Thoughts determine what someone wants; however, habits determine what we do or do not attain.

Habits can be adaptive or maladaptive, depending on the outcomes derived from them. “Maladaptive” refers to behaviors or coping mechanisms that hinder an individual’s ability to adjust appropriately to situations. Adaptive habits, when performed consistently, allow an individual to connect deeper with themselves and others in a healthy, sustainable way.

Becoming aware… paying attention… noticing and observing fruitful versus barren behaviors are the first steps toward wellness that lasts.

“The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it… You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.” — Matthew 7:14-18

Mindfulness: the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental, present-moment awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations.

——

Earlier this week, I sat down with one of the best physical therapists in the world. She imparted to me this notion: “With everything you do, you’re reinforcing a pattern.” She continued to elaborate on how many people experience pain because they use suboptimal movement patterns without recruiting appropriate body parts, muscles, and ranges of motion. “You have to stay mindful or else you are leaving everything up to chance,” she concluded (listen to more of her and her husband’s brilliance on the latest episode of Grateful and Full of Greatness).

This conversation sparked an idea I heard years ago, one I have come to believe in and to experience as true: success happens by intention, not by accident.

Nobody stumbles upon greatness. They earn it.

Long before a person earns a bonus at work, an accolade in school, or a trophy in sports, he or she consciously and mindfully decides to pursue it.

Awareness precedes achievement.

We cannot change that which we are not aware of.

——

From a physical perspective, injuries tend to stem from one of two causes: (1) capacity versus load (2) asymmetry. When load exceeds a body part’s capacity to withstand that load… bones may break, muscles may strain, ligaments and tendons may tear. When one side of our anatomy becomes weaker than the other, overcompensation occurs. When either or both of these forces are present, injuries happen. To avoid these possible pitfalls, one must become aware of deficiencies and mindfully strengthen weakpoints.

From a mental perspective, inner turmoil comes from overwhelm, anger, and fear. When an individual takes on too many involuntary stressors, anxiety can take the forms of distress and panic. When an event fails to meet ann individual’s expectations, feelings of frustration may begin to boil up inside. When an individual faces a situation he or she seems unprepared for, insecurities may cause hesitation. To navigate negative internal terrain, one must become aware of these doubt-filled distractions and mindfully strengthen self-awareness.

From a spiritual standpoint, an empty soul derives from consistent and continuous self-centeredness. When an individual solely focuses on himself or herself, ego takes shape as grandiosity. When awards are won or possessions are lost, personal pride perceives each rise or fall as a result of one’s own mere talent. When an individual struggles to find meaning and purpose, he or she could likely be found concentrating strictly on himself or herself. To discover true fulfillment, one must become aware of egocentric tendencies and mindfully strengthen gratitude, faith-based routines, and service towards others.

——

The author of the book Unreasonable Hospitality, Will Guidara, sheds light on the importance of mindfulness through a key idea he calls “Pattern Recognition of Recurring Moments.” During his restaurant’s rise to #1 in the world, Will and his staff prioritized and systemized graciousness. They actively listened to their customers and then delivered curated experiences to show how much they cared. They consciously paid attention to the wants, needs, and desires of those who dined at Eleven Madison Park. They knew if a couple was getting engaged, when someone’s parking meter was about to expire, and if a table was craving a New York-style hot dog. By focusing on others’ cravings, Will and his ever-present staff surprised and delighted diners. “Service is black and white,” Will emphasizes, “hospitality is color.” What he means by this: anyone can serve food; mindful men and women serve people.

How do we treat ourselves with unreasonable hospitality?

What could we do to deeply take care of our bodies, relationships, and spirits?

Which habits are helping us and which ones are hurting us?

——

The greatest present to give and receive ourselves is our own presence.

We pay a lower long-term cost the more we pay attention right now.

Let’s remain mindful even when our minds are full by staying conscious in our conversations and by actively participating in productive patterns.

Mindfulness → Wellness → Greatness

- MG