Yoga and Mindfulness Retreats

Patience means having the ability to remain calm and unshaken, no matter how circumstances may unfold. If you can take refuge in patience, nothing and no one can disturb your peace of mind.
-Dalai Lama-

The new year is still fresh, and we still have our resolutions for the next 12 months fresh in our minds.

For many people, cutting back on alcohol, stress, work, and sweets is at the top of their “Do’s and Don’ts” list. And most people would like to exercise more, eat healthier, and relax.

Our attempts to stick to our New Year’s resolutions often fail because, by the second half of January at the latest, everyday life has us back in its grip. Like a vise, the demands of work gradually squeeze the life out of us, and we find ourselves longing for relaxing weekends or vacations at the Hubertus.

And yes, it truly is a fine art to face the storms of everyday life with inner peace and serenity. But this art can be learned—by anyone! Even when we encounter people who radiate calm, mindfulness, and serenity, we can assume that they practice these things every day! Even the Dalai Lama and Anselm Grün—who is so highly regarded by so many people—have a daily practice of mindfulness and meditation. This practice helps them recognize their own patterns of thought and behavior and respond appropriately to fears, stress, and worries.

So there’s a little Dalai Lama or Anselm Grün inside each of us. We just have to nurture that part of ourselves—just as every skier, soccer player, or violinist has to practice to master their craft.

And yes: It’s worth it! Even if we just give ourselves 15 minutes every day to breathe in and out mindfully, take a short, mindful walk in nature, drink a cup of coffee or a glass of wine mindfully, or play mindfully with our child while giving them our undivided attention. These moments, when we fully immerse ourselves in the here and now, give our lives true meaning. They’re what make life so worth living. But: We simply have to do it! And of course, that’s not so easy in times when we feel like time is running out and life is slipping through our fingers. Paradoxically, however, it’s also true that we’ll gain time if we give it to ourselves. As an old Asian proverb says: “If you don’t have time, take a detour!”

So do something good for yourself! Treat yourself to a little mindfulness—and, in doing so, a little more quality of life.

By the way: Next week on Facebook, we’ll be giving away one copy of the book *Mindfulness: The Workbook* by Doris Iding. In it, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for bringing more mindfulness into your life.

Doris Iding visits us regularly and offers our guests helpful tips on how to become more mindful. For more information about Doris, visit: http://vomglueckderkleinendinge.blogspot.de/