What if during multiple moments of the day you had a mini-moment practice where you brought your mind to the present moment and checked in with yourself. What would change? In the middle of eating breakfast and you’re thinking about the plans for the day, you bring your mind to the present and simply spend a few moments tasting your food. While talking to a friend you guide your mind back from thinking of the next brilliant counterargument and simply begin to listen. In the middle of an important business meeting, a mini-moment is prompted and you notice your shoulder’s tightening and your mind worrying that you’re going to have to speak soon, and you choose to take a few breaths and roll your shoulders. Maybe mini-moments don’t have to happen every minute, but what if we had mini-moments every hour. Is that so much to ask of ourselves? We can take about 20 seconds to check-in and bring our minds back to the life that is happening right now. I hereby propose The 24 Hour Mini-Mindful Moment Challenge where you do this one time every hour. Just take these four steps and then breathe. You’ve done it. Of course, don’t take my word for it, set an intention to take one day and practice a Mini Mindful Moment every hour. Do it as an experiment for yourself and see what happens. As always, please share your thoughts, questions and stories below. Your interaction creates a living wisdom for us all to benefit from. Elisha Goldstein is a clinical psychologist and conducts a private practice in West Los Angeles. He is co-author of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook (New Harbinger). Visit his mindfulness and psychotherapy blog on PsychCentral.com.
