Coffee, Eggs, & Contemplation

Adulting wisdom on how mindfulness can change your life. #realtalk (thanks, chief H!)

In this fast-paced modern world, we oftentimes fall prey to getting used to and carried away with our routines: work and chores become disconcerting and mornings, monochromatic because of tasks and expected responsibilities; and end up feeling overworked, stressed, and burned out.

This is probably how bustling city life creeps in for most.

Begin the day with coffee & eggs: Why you should eat breakfast.

One of the reasons why I love breakfast, apart from that wafting smell of brewed coffee, toast, and cooked eggs, simply, is that it's the first meal of the day! Breakfast gives us our first (and needed) boost of energy. A satiated morning stomach can last you half a day and keep you inspired and vitalized (well, it works for me!). Taking breakfast also begins the mindful train running.

You think: "for today, will I take my coffee hot or iced?; shall I cook my Eggs: sunny side up or scrambled, well done or runny, poached or boiled, with salt and pepper?" or the bigger question is: "what will I have for breakfast?!"; "But what if I just want to eat brunch?"

All that thinking about "what to eat?" may seem like a tedious task but it's one of those ordinary moments that remind us of our power to choose and decide; later on face varying consequences: good OR bad. To think about what we’ll eat, and what we'll ingest, is a step toward mindfulness.

Tammie stories: I'm a moody coffee drinker. Sometimes I like it hot and black, other times I like it iced cold and a latte. For eggs, I also like my options open. Sometimes I prefer it sunny side up, well done, and with pepper, no salt; other times, scrambled with more whites than yolk; and when boiled, just the whites.

Mornings are sacred: Why you should contemplate.

Mornings are usually the quieter hours of the day and the best times to think. Mostly, these are the periods when you’re alone eating breakfast or are in transit. For some, the best work is in the late evenings when almost everyone’s asleep. We all seek a day’s peace.

I say this because we can take advantage of these times to contemplate. Maybe you can start with mentally plotting your day and creating a to-do list, having a conversation with your faith, and later on reevaluating yourself with set goals and devising or realigning an action plan. Anything worth reflecting on, really, to exercise your mind(fulness).

Tammie stories: While I don't drive or take public transport, I walk to work every day. I always look forward to my morning walks because of the sunshine that touches my skin and the greens that feast on my eyes. Mornings for me are the times when a burst of ideas and thoughts come rushing in.

ON MINDFULNESS

To be mindful means to be aware and conscious of your actions, behavior, reactions, and surroundings. You are present at and in the moment. Contemplating the aforementioned variables will contribute to your becoming a mindful person.

Some points:

• If you're mindful, then you'll know more about yourself.

• If you're mindful, then you'll know more about your friends and the people you surround yourself with.

• If you're mindful, then you'll know what kind of information you should absorb and let go of and the kind of people you‘ll want to associate yourself with.

• If you’re mindful, you’ll be able to focus more on tasks and execute them with competence and efficiency.

Mindfulness can also help maintain a more positive disposition about life.

It builds on other values such as discipline, patience, & compassion. For instance, I think you won't dread chores as much; you'll love walking and working out more; and maybe you’ll even have a deeper appreciation for food, places, and people.

You'll at least be a bit happier and even find purpose in the ordinariness of things, I assure you.

To help you, here are simple, doable daily and weekly exercises for practicing mindfulness:

1. Household chores

Because chores are done repeatedly, and in certain manners, you’ll become aware of how you complete tasks. You’ll think of what your system of working is too accomplish the chore and which works for you and is better; you’ll think if you’re doing the chore properly or the right way. You may even have a favorite chore by the end of the day!

2. Food Planning & Exercising

Conscious food intake and paying attention to how you can better yourself in sports skills or workout routines are similar to being aware of how you do chores. Only here, the endgame is your health and fitness improvement. By practicing this daily, you can already set your fitness goals and know you'll achieve them!

3. Reading

Reading silently; or with soft-toned, relaxing background music like Jazz & Classical, and reading aloud (listening to yourself recite words) are beneficial in developing your concentration, comprehension, and imagination. You’ll become mindful of what you read, discover what genres match your interest and you’ll learn A LOT(!) about the world and words. Maybe you’ll end up liking, if not loving, the activity of reading.

4. Writing

Engaging in writing prompts or writing daily entries in a diary will open the doors to reflection and creativity. This will allow you to express yourself and develop your self-esteem in communicating with others. You’ll be mindful of what you write and what kind of messages you'd like to share with others.

5. Walking

Walking will allow you to know more about your surroundings. It will heighten your senses: of sight, smell, touch, and maybe even taste (e.g. suddenly you'll come across a hole-in-a-wall café or kiosk. You never know unless you explore!) which will prompt your mindfulness of where you are and the people at present.

These suggested exercises are easy but the challenge is your willingness to do them and to do them consistently.

I hope you'll be able to build on your mindfulness, reader, and when you do, I hope you've found more purpose and are happier! :)