This month I am celebrating my 40th birthday and reflecting on why I chose mindfulness as my professional path. This catapults me back to my childhood and forwards to now.
One of my interest that sustained through the years is observing conversations and relationships, always figuring out what works and what doesn't. My friendships and relationships are usually of long terms. Never held back by any religion, culture, or other personal backgrounds. Open for anything that came my way. Realizing now that this is part of my future craft. Welcoming people for who they are and not what I want them to be.
A friend once commented on why I am acknowledging strangers on the street? Why do I feel the need to say hi to people I don't know? Why would I care? At first, I questioned my daily approach, when shortly later I realized that it didn't matter if I knew them on a friendship level, it was a different way of spreading happiness and friendly encounters.
Who knows what effect this experience had for them or me? I soon understood that there was no harm nor foul of doing so. I kept it up and enjoy the short release of endorphins. Me saying this has little to do with who I am and more what it could do for you if we open up to people around us (a doorman, a security guard, an employee at a public workplace, etc.) even if they won't change our lives on a large scale. These little meetings could lead to a much bigger picture, which I call happiness.
Happiness always was my number one goal. Now, I found the connection to why mindfulness? Mindfulness has been part of my life without noticing it. I was meant to guide people into mindfulness because it provides validation and strength to each individual to be appreciated, joyful, aware, empathetic, compassionate, caring, and happy. If we pay attention to our surroundings, our thoughts, and feelings we will be able to better serve ourselves and others.
These are just a few examples of how I live my life and how mindfulness can be a guide for our future. Of course, I am not perfect nor am I aiming to be. What I do strive for is to be more present. Get a better hold on when I shall response instead of reacting, to be empathetic instead of judgmental, to listen instead of talking, and most importantly to be kind to myself and others.
This is why I chose mindfulness as my professional path. I hope I have reached you and you found your mindfulness encounters throughout your days. Let's start here and take one breath at the time.