To be mindful you have to overcome at least two seemingly natural tendencies: the tendency to judge ourselves and others and the tendency to see threats even where they don’t exist.
Both of these tendencies are rooted in the emotions (fear, anger, etc.) and are thoughts the emotions drive. Whether it’s judgment or seeing threats, it’s important to note that they spring from emotions.
It’s important because the “antidote” to these tendencies is SOOTHING the emotions. That’s where mindfulness comes in. By focusing on the present and letting go of judgment and threat detection, the emotions are less likely to gain traction and take over.
Still, the emotions are always ready to take over and that’s what makes mindfulness hard–it seems like fighting your own natural tendencies.
With practice, these tendencies can be reduced to manageable forces but only practice will rein them in.
Understanding what you’re up against (seemingly natural tendencies to judge and catastrophize) is a step on the journey to mindfulness (that is LESS HARD).
Let us know if you have questions…
The quote:
“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” ― John Steinbeck