The Power of Mindfulness: Transforming Routines into Moments of Appreciation

Even routines that initially benefit you, when done without cognition, lose their efficacy. Exercise for your body, eating the same thing, or anything done in exactly the same way without thought becomes rote or routine. A small routine built into your day may save time and not require any thought, but when done without the beauty of noticing what is around you or appreciating it, you may still benefit in some way, but not nearly to the level that you could.

Even brushing your teeth in the same way without thought loses its potentially awe-inspiring moments. Activating your cognition has its benefits. Noticing has its benefits. Yes, it is always good to feel all, but the brain you're given to analyze can be healthy as long as you focus on the positive outcomes of the path you are following. Your mouth will feel cleaner; it's a small test, but try it. Your route to your daily tasks or work will become more beautiful if you notice the birds, the landscape, or even the flow of traffic along the way.

Look with new eyes at all that surrounds you in appreciation for what is, for all that is, and how it came to be. You are beautifully and wonderfully made, and so are all the creations around you.

Break your routines only to notice why you established them in the first place. Thank yourself for the beautiful reasoning behind your choices. The only routines that are truly not beneficial to you are those you fell into because others did before you or those you implemented without thought or care.

Create new routines with you as the beneficiary of the outcome. Love to you always.