Transcript

You may have heard this word mindfulness. It’s become something of a buzz phrase of late.

I’m here to offer a simple, practical definition: Mindfulness is the ability to know what’s happening in your head at any given moment without getting carried away by it. Imagine the immense utility of this skill in everyday life.

Consider this common scenario: you’re driving, and someone cuts you off.

How do you usually respond? Most of us think, “I’m pissed.” Then, almost automatically, we embody that anger. There’s typically no gap between the stimulus—being cut off—and our response—we become truly angry.

With a bit of mindfulness, the situation could unfold differently.

You might notice physical signs of anger, like a buzzing in your chest or reddening ears, and a flurry of indignant thoughts like, “I’m getting angry.” Recognizing these signs gives you a crucial pause. You don’t have to act on the anger; you don’t have to chase down the other driver while yelling, to the horror of your kids in the backseat.

Mindfulness doesn’t mean never getting angry.

Yes, anger can be justified. But with mindfulness, you can learn to respond wisely rather than reacting on impulse. This is not about becoming a passive, non-judgmental observer of your own life but about engaging more thoughtfully with your experiences.

How do you develop this superpower? Through meditation.

I view meditation and mindfulness as the next big public health revolution. Back in the 1940s, telling someone you were going for a run might prompt them to ask who was chasing you. But as science highlighted the benefits of physical exercise, it became a standard part of health maintenance. I believe mindfulness and meditation are on the same trajectory.

Incorporating mindfulness and meditation into your life might someday be as commonplace and essential as physical exercise, eating well, or brushing your teeth.

These practices are poised to join the pantheon of self-care activities that we recognize as crucial for maintaining our health.

To conclude, while mindfulness won’t solve all your problems or turn life into an endless series of joyful moments, it offers a profound form of empowerment.

It’s a superpower that everyone can access, starting right now. It helps you navigate life’s challenges with greater calm and wisdom, transforming not just moments of stress but potentially your overall approach to living.