Mindfulness
If anyone knows me personally, they know that I am really busy. I am a mother to two young children, a wife to a husband who travels for a living, busy in my career, and a full time doctoral student. I need to pause and take a breath after writing all of that. My life isn’t unique. Almost all of us are busy and stretched thin. I like to tell myself that it is just the stage of life that I am, but in reality I rarely meet someone who doesn’t feel busy. This is why I enjoy mindfulness. Mindfulness means being present in the moment. When you are present in the moment, you are not able to worry about past mistakes or future stressors. You are just living in that moment. In the evenings after I tuck my children in bed, and make a choice to not do schoolwork, I often make a cup of hot tea, turn off the lights in the living room and just be. My husband actually returned from a business trip one evening and thought the setting seemed either hysterical or depressing. He had a concerned look when he questioned why I was “sitting in the dark and staring.” My response was simple, “mindfulness.” In that moment, I was not concerned about anything at the office, my children didn’t need me, I wasn’t preparing for the next day, and I wasn’t doing endless school assignments. Boy did it feel good to have some quiet time. I encourage everyone to determine how they best become aware of the moment. Whether it is going for a walk and enjoying all the sights and sounds, doing meditation or yoga, journaling, or praying, it is important to find a time to connect to the moment. So if anyone ever catches me staring off, please do not be concerned. Maybe just smile and think about how you might take care of yourself today.
Written by: Amy Rollo, M.A., LSSP, LPC-S
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Amy Rollo is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and owner of Heights Family Counseling. Amy has been practicing for fifteen years. She has doctoral level training in the areas of child and adolescent counseling, marriage and family therapy, and adult counseling. Amy Rollo provides counseling and evaluation services in the Houston Heights and surrounding areas. Amy’s goal in counseling is to journey with her clients in order to foster positive changes and growth in their lives. Read more about Amy's counseling style by visiting www.heightsfamilycounseling.com