The first thing that popped into my head was how our thoughts paint our days. Specifically, we all have thoughts that enter our minds on a constant, daily basis. Until about 2 years ago, I had no control over my thought life, and how it was impacting my daily life. I have grown up in the Church , and have been taught about taking every thought captive, and testing it against the word of the Lord. This was a wonderful concept to me, and I thought it probably was fantastic for those who were able to do it. But, that was not me, and I must not be spiritual enough because I did not know how to accomplish this.
Because I was in this place, anxiety, and depression had me captured in what I perceived as a never-ending spiral that was leading to my demise. That statement may seem dramatic, but when your mind is constantly playing the “You suck, and this is why you suck” Tape over and over in your head, you get to that place. I was done, and I am about to get super honest. I hated my self and I was over life. If this was “as good as life was going to get,” I wanted no part. Fast forward to 2 years ago. I was introduced to the practice of Mindfulness. I had mentioned to someone the struggles I was experiencing , and that the coping skills that I currently had were not working for my situation. You may already know what mindfulness is, but let me give a definition for those who may not.
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way;
On purpose,
in the present moment, and
nonjudgmentally.” -Jon Kabat-Zinn
So, I began this journey of intentionally being with my thoughts. Those that made me anxious, depressed, happy , sad, all of the above. But this time, without labeling them as anxious, depressed, sad , happy. Just letting them come and go as they please. Accepting them . See, this is where the word, Paint comes In . I had allowed my thoughts to paint a picture of myself, my life, and my current experience as bad, as lacking, as unworthy, as gross, as not enough. But, in reality, I have learned that thoughts are honestly just thoughts. Now, you may be in a season of life where that statement seems weird to you. “How can thoughts just be thoughts when they make me feel a certain way?” To that I would say, thoughts cannot make us feel a certain way, however, the feeling or emotion we attach to them does. So, my challenge and question to you is as follows.
- What picture are you allowing your current thought life to paint about your experience?
- What would it take for you allow yourself to accept your current experience and present moment on purpose, without Judgement?
I would like to end and tell you that If you so choose to take a mindful journey, it is freeing. I have learned that it is simply being in the present moment, allowing your thoughts, feelings and emotions to come and go without judgement or wishing they were different. If you’d like it to incorporate your faith, you can, but it is not neccissary. Personally, my relationship with the Lord has been strengthened through this process, and I have found appreciation for different ways that people navigate through life, and I am thankful that mindfulness was introduced into my life.
Be encouraged friends
–Rachael
Accepting The Peace 
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