Mindfulness is the essential human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. While mindfulness is something we all naturally possess, it’s more readily available to us when we practice daily.

Whenever you bring awareness to what you’re directly experiencing through your senses, or to your state of mind by your thoughts and emotions, you’re mindful. And there’s growing research showing that when you train your brain to be conscious, you’re remodeling the physical structure of your mind.

The goal of mindfulness is to wake up to the inner workings of our mental, emotional, and physical processes.

Meditation begins and ends in the body. It involves taking the time to pay attention to where we are and what’s going on, and that starts with being aware of our body. That very act can be calming since our body has internal rhythms that help it relax if we give it a chance.

Mindfulness is essential and nurtured through proven techniques. Mainly seated, walking, standing, and moving meditation (it’s also possible lying down but often leads to sleep); short pauses we insert into everyday life; and merging meditation practice with other activities, such as yoga or sports.

Mindfulness meditation gives us a time in our lives when we can suspend judgment and unleash our natural curiosity about the operations of the mind, approaching our experience with warmth and kindness—to ourselves and others.

Spending time in nature has long been touted for its benefits. Much like meditation, spending time in nature is linked to a greater sense of happiness. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t find bliss somewhere within nature—at the beach, the desert, in a forest, a park, a farm, or heck—even a backyard.

Here are some reasons why I spend time in nature.

• Nature inspires me because it offers joy and magic.
• Nature is the most precious gift anyone can get, and it’s free.
• Nature tells how lucky we are to be alive. Nature’s beauty is always bursting out with color and natural medicine to cure our pain.
• Nature speaks to me as long as I’m quiet. Walk fast at sunrise and listen to all of the messages. Life keeps me alive.
• I walk outside and breathe deeply. I look and be still.
• When my mind is clear, I receive prompts for writing.
• Nature makes my pain go away when I feel stressed.

Here are Two Simple Mindfulness Practices to Help You Connect with Nature at Mindful.com.

https://www.mindful.org/two-simple-mindfulness-practices-to-help-you-connect-with-nature/

I leave you with this quote:

“To find the meaning of life, enjoy the journey, the beauty of nature, the glint of a dewdrop, the warmth of the morning sun, the songs of the wind, and smiles of flowers. These are all there to make your journey worthwhile and make your life meaningful.”

― Debasish Mridha