What Is Mindfulness?

“Mindfulness encompasses two key ingredients: awareness and acceptance. Awareness is the knowledge and ability to focus attention on one’s inner processes and experiences, such as the experience of the present moment. Acceptance is the ability to observe and accept—rather than judge or avoid—those streams of thought.”
— Psychology Today

As I embark on a new journey of focused and intentional meditation to help manage my chronic pain, I’ve found myself reflecting more and more on the broader application of mindfulness in my everyday life.

Last night, I listened to a video—probably on YouTube—where someone spoke about being mindful while eating. The concept was simple but powerful: be fully present with your food. No distractions. Just sit and experience the full taste, texture, and essence of what you’re eating.

I could really appreciate that idea. There are moments when I do pause and truly savor a meal—when the flavors dance, and the textures are rich and satisfying. But there are also times when I rush through my food, barely chewing, hardly tasting. It’s like I’m eating just to get it over with.

That made me think about other moments in life when mindfulness could shift the entire experience.

I’ve written before about being fully present in conversations. There’s nothing more disheartening than realizing the person you’re speaking to hasn’t actually heard a word you said. Or consider those moments when people go out to dinner together, only to sit in silence, each glued to their phone. Where’s the connection in that?

Mindfulness, I’m learning, is not just a practice—it’s a way of showing up in the world. It’s about being aware of what you’re experiencing and accepting it without judgment. It’s choosing to taste your food, to listen deeply, to breathe through the pain, and to engage with life fully and intentionally.

And perhaps—just perhaps—when we become more mindful, we gain a bit more control over how we experience the world, even if we can’t control everything that happens in it.

LadyFlava of LadyFlavaNews

Sharing My Thoughts