Dear Friends,
Eleanor Roosevelt was one of America's great humorists, in addition to her magical talent of diplomacy. In one treasured remark she combined both attributes: "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."
At Sixes and Sevens, Inc. we want always to start with ideas, so this month let's take a look at an idea the is mightily trending in our culture right now.
"Mindfulness" is to deliberately pause to clear the mind of random thoughts, distractions and especially worries. Being mindful helps one to be aware and alert to what is happening and to what is significant in experience. It is not an automatic reaction, however. It is a learned, cognitive skill. It is based on practice and repetition. To be mindful one must intend to be mindful.
Herbert Benson identified the starting point for mindfulness. He spoke of "the relaxation response." This is a natural ability of the human mind and body but it has to be cultivated. If it is ignored, one might as well not have it at all.
The relaxation response is a built-in incentive to embrace calmness and serenity. One can seek it through sensory (sound, word, phrase, or prayer) means and through movement (walking the labyrinth, yoga, TaiChi or disciplined sports) and repetitive activities like humming or dancing.
The relaxation response counteracts stress and restores well-being. It makes living easier because it increases one's ability to make use of social supports that might be available from the environment and the people one is near.
The relaxation response also encourages a healthy lifestyle of thoughtful nutrition choices, good sleep hygiene, and exercise. The ability to choose relaxation heightens a determinative attitude about wellness and self-control in general. |