Befriending Ourselves: Embracing Mindfulness with Curiosity and Kindness

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Blog/Befriending Ourselves: Embracing Mindfulness with Curiosity and Kindness

Befriending Ourselves: Embracing Mindfulness with Curiosity and Kindness

๐ŸŒธ Inspiration Corner

"๐Œ๐ข๐ง๐๐Ÿ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ง๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐š ๐ฐ๐š๐ฒ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐›๐ž๐Ÿ๐ซ๐ข๐ž๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐  ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ž๐ฅ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฌ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ž๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ž๐ซ๐ข๐ž๐ง๐œ๐ž." โ€“ Jon Kabat-Zinn

Mindfulness is like an open invitation to sit down with ourselves, no judgment, no rushโ€”just curiosity and kindness. Think of it as befriending every part of you: the good, the messy, and everything in between. Whether you're in the middle of a triumph or trudging through a challenge, mindfulness teaches us to embrace all the pieces of our journey, even the awkward ones. Itโ€™s like being the friend who says, โ€œI got you,โ€ regardless of the circumstances. Today, letโ€™s practice seeing our livesโ€”every experienceโ€”as something worth befriending.


๐Ÿง˜โ€ Mindful Living Tip

Here's a simple exercise to strengthen that friendship with yourself: Sit for a minute and imagine youโ€™re talking to a friend. Not just any friend, but your best friend. Someone who sees you for all you are. Now, speak to yourself in the same way. It might feel a bit strange at first, but the kindness you extend to others can be shared with yourself too. This is what mindfulness really isโ€”becoming that gentle, supportive friend to ourselves. The one who listens, who understands, and who helps us see that even our struggles are just a part of the journey.


๐Ÿ’ญ Readerโ€™s Corner: Stories from Women Business Owners

Letโ€™s hear from three inspiring women who have used mindfulness as a way to truly befriend their experiences:

1. Anna, Founder of Bliss Candles: โ€œWhen I started making candles, I loved everything about itโ€”the scents, the mixing, the creation. But as my business grew, I began to feel overwhelmed. I realized that I was treating my business like a race. One day, I sat back and asked myself: Why did I start this in the first place? Thatโ€™s when I began using mindfulness to reconnect. I practiced enjoying each step, letting it feel like I was crafting a gift for a friend. It brought back the joy, and my customers felt that love in each candle.โ€

2. Sandra, Owner of The Flourish Floral Shop: โ€œRunning a flower shop can be hecticโ€”especially on holidays! I often found myself caught in the chaos, rushing through everything, and missing the beauty of my own work. One day, I decided to just pause. I took a deep breath and looked at the flowers around meโ€”the colors, the scents, the textures. It was a moment of stillness. I realized how much joy I was missing in the rush. Now, even during the busiest times, I remind myself to be mindful. I let each flower arrangement be a chance to befriend the moment.โ€

3. Leila, Founder of Soothe Me Skincare: โ€œMy skincare business was born out of my own struggle with sensitive skin. I wanted to help others feel comfortable in their skin, but in the process, I ended up forgetting my own needs. I realized I was pushing myself too hard, and my stress was showing up on my face! Thatโ€™s when I turned to mindfulness. I began treating my skin routine as a ritual of self-care, not just something to rush through. I spoke kindly to myself in the mirror, embraced my reflection, and reminded myself that itโ€™s okay to take things slow. Befriending my own experience became part of my brand, and now my customers are doing the same.โ€

Each of these amazing women found that befriending themselves allowed them to reconnect with their purpose. Mindfulness isn't about being perfect; it's about being present and gentle with ourselves, no matter what life brings our way.

โ€‹


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