I would guess that most of us are familiar with the term mindfulness. I would even guess that many of us practice it with various levels of expertise or success. Automatically we are driven towards mindlessness instead. Do you ever look back on your drive home and barely remember the journey or recall the experience?

From habit we react and distract – No pause for intention and reflection.
Our presence is fleeting – Ourselves we are cheating.
As we eat without tasting – Whole moments we’re wasting.
And listen without hearing – To those who’re endearing.
Scrolling without purpose – Let’s keep up with the circus.
Watching with one eye – Wave the world bye bye.
Emotionally disconnected – Unaware we’re affected.
Autopilot drives us – Our head well it’s concuss.
Making automatic choices – from those little voices.
Sadly, emotionally severed – unaware we are tethered

Breathe ………..

Stupid we’re not it’s what life has begot – It’s not like we’re lazy life simply gets crazy.
Reset! Let’s use our resources – Our own quiet forces.
To pause and reflect – To yourself reconnect with all that surrounds us.
Single task often your outlook will soften – just drive, just drink your tea , just let it be.
Notice without judging – There’s no need for that fudging.
Insert tiny pauses for all the right causes – Those gaps you will clap they come in gift wrap.
Now breathe for a moment – a perfect bestowment.
Then sit for a minute if you will permit it – Gently breathe in and breathe out.
Thoughts they will come and thoughts they will go – Let it all come and let it all flow.
Mindless or Mindful what will it be? – Perhaps just recognizing each is the key.

As I was writing this, I stopped to take a break and the dogs for a walk. Along the sidewalk I could see a man walking towards us about a 100 yards away with his face buried in his phone scrolling. As he was almost upon us (he still hadn’t looked up,) I moved to one side and held the dogs firm. Harry let out his usual bark. The man almost jumped out of his skin. I could not have asked for a more poignant, and funny, example!!