50 Uplifting ideas

by Paul on March 12, 2010
in Mind Maps

1. Respect your body and life
2. Respect the planet
3. Respect wildlife and nature
4. Respect other cultures
5. Respect other people’s beliefs
6. Respect other people’s tastes
7. Respect other people’s choices
8. Respect other people’s opinions
9. Sample other people’s beliefs
10. Sample other people’s tastes
11. Sample other people’s choices
12. Sample other people’s opinions
13. Sample non-judgment
14. Self-improve rather than other improve
15. Read inspiring books
16. Listen to inspiring CD’s
17. Listen to inspiring Podcasts
18. Listen to inspiring DVD’s & Videos
19. Read positive and uplifting stories
20. Read good news
21. Try dropping fiction
22. Learn from the famous
23. Read about high achievers
24. Read biographies
25. Learn about Top 100 (or 10) best in their field
26. Break bad habits; replace with good
27. Be thankful
28. Appreciate what you have
29. Repel negativity
30. Celebrate life
31. Focus on what matters
32. Focus on what is important
33. Enhance senses
34. Enhance awareness of thinking
35. Learn meditation
36. Learn breathing techniques
37. Marvel at your surroundings
38. Marvel at the basics
39. Enjoy simplicity
40. Listen to birdsong
41. Listen to nature
42. Listen to the weather
43. Practice positive action
44. Practice positive speech
45. Practice positive thought
46. Look for the good
47. Cherish how fortunate you are
48. Enjoy sunsets
49. Enjoy storms
50. Harness your inner smile

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The Uplifting ideas Mind Map comes from SET 12 – Uplifting ideas Mind Map Set

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Tags: Mind Maps

Mindfulness

by Paul on March 10, 2010
in Mind Maps

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Mindfulness; awareness of present experience and being aware of your thinking can change your life. It takes practice and daily observation to notice your thoughts and environment yet no time at all to explore and experiment. You can try it right now as you read this Blog Post. As you read, become aware of your environment and how your senses and your body are relating to the space around you. Notice also any thoughts you might have about what you are reading and other thoughts unrelated to these words.

Awareness of thoughts and environment helps anchor you in the present moment which in turn also helps you consider the bigger picture – things going on outside of your own thinking and experiences. You could travel the world via your own thinking without going anywhere!

A great experiment is to observe an object whilst focusing your attention entirely on your breathing. This encourages thoughtless awareness – observing the object without thought, labels or judgments. A tricky exercise at first because the mind wants to analyse the object yet by focusing on your breathing you can sense an acceptance of the object without labels. Observation of breath reduces your thoughts and helps you stop thinking which encourages relaxation and also aids meditation. This exercise helps you tune in effortlessly to the present experience; which is being mindful.

You might also call it noting or noticing, for example, to notice when you pick up a cup that you can feel the cup, noticing the liquid as you drink and recognising the temporary nature (transience) of all of it.

Mindfulness is simply being aware of whatever you are aware of. Not being physically aware (or mindful) of environment can lead to tripping on the stairs or spilling drinks and the like. Not being aware (or mindful) of your thinking can lead to being dragged away from the present moment by past or future thinking.

A further useful exercise is to sit in your garden or in nature or go for a walk in the country and focus entirely on your surroundings. Watch the wind, watch nature, birds, animals, enhance your senses; simply notice where you are and as a consequence the appreciation is greater.

Further reading:

Books that helped me detach from constant identification with thought: