Planning a presentation recently, I decided I wanted to give people an idea about how you could spend a mindful day. These are the three suggestions I came up with that could enhance each and every one of our lives.

1.  At the beginning of the day, make a plan to engage in at least one activity that brings you joy.

2.  Choose the attitude you want to have throughout the day.

3.  At the end of day, remember three pleasant moments you enjoyed.

Enjoy an Activity

How much of your life is spent doing something for someone else or just getting through the work of the day.  Each day make some time for yourself.  The activity can be something as simple as reading a few pages from the book you’re reading, listening to some music, taking a different route home to see something new, walking on the trail, learning something new, or having lunch with a friend.  It’s your life. The key is to enjoy it every day.

Choose Your Attitude

In the stress reduction class I teach, I tell people to take a slip of paper from a bag marked “choose your attitude” — referring to the attitudes of mindfulness.  It is one of the favorite things that people do.  One the slips of paper are the attitudinal qualities associated with mindfulness. They are patience, non-striving, non-judging, acceptance, beginner’s mind, trusting, and letting go.  You could choose one of these or you could choose to be kind, gentle, helpful, confidence, optimistic, reliable, honest, and happy. The list is endless.  It’s your life. The key is to choose how you want to be.

Three Pleasant Moments

Pleasant moments are occurring all of the time and we miss them because we’re lost in thought—planning, remembering, worrying.  Don’t miss your moments filled with smiles, tastes, touches, sights, sounds, laughs, cries, nature, pets, children, spouses, and friends. Life is all around you with pleasures that abound. It’s your life. Be present for the pleasure that’s available to you.

~One of my pleasant moments today was writing this blog.  I hope it adds something positive to your life.