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The virtue of mindfulness
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I just completed an 8-week course in stress management, which principally focused on mindfulness, or the virtue of living in the moment. The course was quite an investment in time — eight weekly sessions of 2.5 hours in addition to a day-long retreat. However, I have emerged from this training with many tools to combat stress.
It was ironic that I attended the stress management classes during a particularly busy time in my life. I had been unusually busy surgically, I was a bit overextended in academic pursuits and my re-certification exam loomed over me.
The course helped me manage the past few weeks much better than I expected! I learned to meditate daily, to practice some yoga postures and to simply stop, breathe and be when I felt anxious or stressed. I also learned a mindfulness walking meditation which helped to bring my mind back to the present moment when my thoughts seemed to spiral out of control. I see things more clearly, am a better listener to my wife and am more chill when I engage in public speaking.
I am surely not recommending we all become Zen masters, but I do suggest we all invest in ourselves and in our well-being. Whether it be to join the gym, take up a hobby or engage in a Tai Chi class, you certainly cannot be a healer to others unless you take care of yourself first!
I believe my investment in the mindfulness class will remain with me for a very long time. My life is slower, I am able to appreciate the wonderful world around me and life is truly more peaceful.
Take care of yourself. No one else can do it better!