When You Do What You Do…

A few weeks ago I hurt my elbow. Nothing terrible. Most of us experience “tennis elbow ” at one time or another. I decided to treat this as a time to practice living mindfully. We all hear that it is important to live mindfully – that it is stress relieving, meditative, and good for us in many ways. Many people just don’t know how to start.

Here is what I did, and the results have been more than interesting. I have felt a newness about many tasks that are so ordinary. You know, the ones that you do everyday, so many times, and usually can’t even remember whether or not you did them. I simply started using my non-dominate hand. Does that sound silly to you? Well, let me tell you, it is anything but. I began by brushing my hair with my left hand. Totally different feeling on my scalp, different pressure. I noticed how my wrist twisted in a way I never noticed before. My hair is on the long side, and by brushing with my left hand, it felt awkward, more like a child learning this task.Interesting, it is now another “new” sensation. Washing dishes and putting them away has become a meditation of sorts. Allowing the non-dominant hand to call the shots becomes a mindful activity. I need to pay attention so I don’t break things!  Unlocking doors, lighting candles, stirring pots of soup. So many things.The list could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Mindfully going about my daily activities has allowed me to become more aware and present. More patient and calm. More tolerant of others. Such a simple change. Such wonderful results.