This week I’ve been on a mindfulness training course which was great. I learnt about how to apply mindful attitude to day to day situations, and I think it’s a powerful technique which helps with relationships, group situations and all sorts of stress and anxiety. We mindfully ate a jelly baby and I wondered why I don’t eat jelly babies every day!
Couple the ability to empty your mind with the ability to commit your life to God, or Jesus, and christian mindfulness or meditation is a really key part of growing in faith. There will always be a voice in my mind spouting negativity and I have to learn to ignore it to develop more in Christ.
I found this quote from Martin Luther, and put it on my desk
“You can’t stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”
The most resonant part of it this week though for me was that a child-like approach to life is really beneficial.
Like most mums I am constantly thinking about schedules, time-tables, gym kit, drop-offs, pick-ups, bed-time deadlines, practices, homework, discipline and good nutrition, and it’s hard to switch off from all that and really enjoy my family and my life. When they are actually doing something really cute, I can sometimes completely miss it!
The child-like approach means going- oh look there is a beautiful bumble-bee, or how nice, that person paid me a compliment, or trying not to laugh at something funny they’ve said, rather than just brushing it away. Seeing everything new, is how most toddlers operate, and it’s so exciting! Wow, a bubble being blown!
If we let ourselves we can also really enjoy and indulge in the small things, like the first glass of wine on a Friday night! I went swimming this week when it was really hot, and loved the cold water on my skin, it was pure bliss!
In the bible as well, Jesus says, be like the little children, their faith is pure and honest and open- in other words don’t overcomplicate it- just be with me, love me, and enjoy being in a relationship with me, there isn’t anything to demonstrate, give, control, or master, just being open to love and being loved.
Luke 18 v15-17
People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
inspiredinyork 