The Mindful Blog

The elusive pause. It is so difficult to step out of the habit of thought and pause to be with what is actually present in the moment. Even for a long time practitioner of Mindfulness, this practice is imperative to continue cultivating. Our thinking mind does not typically want to be in the present moment especially when there is difficulty. We can easily spend our lives living in the realm of thought instead of in the present moment. We are likely not even aware of the

Radical Acceptance sounded like an impossible ask years ago when I began mindfulness practice. I had an incredible amount of judgement for myself and others. I am certainly not perfect with the practice of radical acceptance, but I am now in a different realm of being with it. Until 2012, I had a very unkind and highly dysfunctional inner and outer critic. This fueled the anxiety and suicidal depression I experienced for years. Back then, it felt like there was no way out.

Learning about self-compassion began for me with the Mindful Self Compassion Course (MSC) I took back in 2012. However, I found it difficult to practice as I was still filled with self-loathing and deep emotional pain. Self-compassion felt about as far from the truth as it could be. The MSC course provided the opening and knowledge, but I still needed to address the internal turmoil that had plagued me for most of my life. In 2015 , I began practicing with a weekly medita

Struggling with suicidal depression since the age of 11 was an ongoing battle until I was much older. It was destructive and devastating to my young brain. It led to self-medicating and isolating behaviors. I was filled with rage and overwhelmed by a pit of sadness. But, this experience also eventually led to the freedom and peace I found through practicing Mindfulness and Compassion.   The road was arduous and much to my dismay, not linear. Two steps forward and one step bac

Understanding Mindfulness and Self-Compassion In the beginning of my Mindful Self-Compassion journey, learning self-compassion was challenging. I didn't fully grasp what it meant. Mindfulness and Self-Compassion practices may seem simple, but they are not easy. This is partly because mindfulness is about non-conceptual awareness. We approach the world through direct experience rather than through the lens of thought. It’s not the typical way we are taught to engage with our s

My personal journey with self-compassion has not been an easy one. It began in 2012 with 2 life changing health problems that happened at the same time. Before 2012, I am been a very active runner, hiker, swimmer and enjoyed an abundance of other outdoor activities. That all came to an abrupt halt. It was devastating. My sense of who I thought of myself as a human was thrown into chaos. I already had issues with depression since I was a child and the situation threw me even f

The Journey to Inner Peace Mindfulness is a powerful tool. It helps us connect with ourselves and the world around us. By practicing mindfulness, we can reduce stress and enhance our emotional well-being. This journey is not just about relaxation; it’s about growth and understanding. In our fast-paced lives, we often forget to pause. We rush from one task to another, leaving little room for reflection. Mindfulness invites us to slow down. It encourages us to be present in the

Life can feel overwhelming at times. The constant rush, the endless to-do lists, and the noise around us can make it hard to find peace. I have found that weaving simple mindfulness exercises into my daily routine brings a gentle calmness that stays with me throughout the day. These moments of presence help me reconnect with myself and the world around me. If you are looking for ways to reduce stress, nurture emotional well-being, and grow personally, I invite you to explore

When life feels overwhelming, I often find myself returning to two gentle practices that bring me peace: mindfulness and self-kindness. These two qualities, when combined, create a powerful synergy that nurtures the heart and calms the mind. They invite us to slow down, breathe deeply, and treat ourselves with the same warmth we offer to others. This blog post explores how embracing this synergy can transform our daily experience, reduce stress, and foster emotional well-bein

Life often brings challenges that test our strength and patience. When stress builds up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or disconnected from ourselves. I’ve found that embracing gentle, nurturing practices can make a profound difference. One such practice is self-kindness meditation techniques, which invite us to treat ourselves with the same warmth and care we offer to others. This approach helps build resilience, allowing us to face difficulties with greater ease and compass

In our busy lives, finding moments of peace can feel like a challenge. Yet, I have discovered that mindfulness offers a gentle, welcoming...

The journey to a calmer, more balanced life often begins with a simple truth: our mind and body are deeply connected. When we nurture...

In our fast-paced world, finding moments of calm can feel like a challenge. Yet, with mindful breathing techniques, we can gently guide...

Life often brings challenges that test our emotional strength. When faced with stress, setbacks, or moments of self-doubt, how we treat...

Be Well United Interviewed Founder Laurie Hallihan to Learn More About the Upcoming Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course. Minding...