Every little thing counts. The joys in the moment. The sadness that slowly creeps in. The overwhelming thoughts. The daily experiences. Our interactions with other people. All of these count as being mindful.
Mindfulness, when summed up together leads back to intentionality. I mean focusing and paying attention to things around you. It's all about being in the present and careful not to forget about something that has happened to you.
I have realized that being mindful does not mean just crossing your legs while placing them on a low table or your back leaning against the wall and meditating for hours. Sometimes, all that is needed is paying attention - to your actions, your thoughts and the people around you.
As someone who has embraced a minimalist lifestyle [if not it, then nothing else], I have come to learn that mindfulness happens every day, and it is not until it becomes a grand one that we notice it happening.
Some days ago, the solar in the compound got fixed and we were able to pump water. I felt excited because there would be water available for everyone after not been available for days. But before then, I'd taken advantage of the minimalist hack, which was buying a big drum (160L) and filling it with water just in case.
I know how important water is, and a lack of it could ruin my mood and halt activities in the house. I didn't want to be caught off guard when water would be scarce, so I opted to get the drum.
That little act was a moment of mindfulness, which is, to me, like thinking ahead, being proactive and making sure little things like that do not overwhelm me, especially when things do not go as planned. Though that may look like a simple choice, it reflects my core belief of being intentional even with basic needs like water.
Not long after, we had a new tenant moved in. He took the apartment opposite mine and came knocking afterwards. He didn't have water running in his room, so he wanted to know how things worked in the compound.
I could have just stayed back, pretended it was none of my business and not helped, but I didn't. Instead, I showed that I care. We both went downstairs and asked an old tenant who seemed to know more. Later that day, my neighbour got water.
As I paused and reflected on that experience, I discovered how mindfulness played its role - being aware of the needs of others and being present enough to offer some help when we can.
There are also instances where everything feels boring a few days later. The kind that leaves you lost in your thoughts. My gas was almost finished, and I found myself stressing over and wondering how a 6kg gas that I filled just less than two months ago was finishing already.
I kept thinking about what I used it for, then the cost to get it filled again, and when I'd do that. It was at that moment I decided to take a bath and step out. I went downstairs to sit in the backyard with a novel I had been reading.
I created a silent spot just below my window. As I sat with my head bowed in my book, I realized the simple act of choosing peace over worry, and it reminded me that mindfulness is all about being present while choosing what matters now and the Bible verse that talks about how we shouldn't worry about tomorrow made its way into my heart. That actually relieved me.
That quiet spot at a corner became a small haven. No noise. No pressure. Just me, my book and the peaceful breeze that graced its presence all over me. I have been doing that often - creating a moment each day to just sit in such a serene environment.
Finally, I was chanced to meet other new neighbours. I made that little effort to ask for their names - the reason being that I want to address them by that with a smile as I greet them whenever we meet, and that I have been doing.
This was something I picked up from the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People." I learned from the book that remembering and addressing people by their names creates a sense of connection. It makes people feel unique and you'd make more friends than you ever think of.
This means a lot to me, especially because it made me feel present at the moment and that I care enough to remember. That, too, is mindfulness, and this is what embracing a minimalist lifestyle has taught me up to this moment.
All pictures are mine
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