Mindfulness, Endings, Beginnings and Coming into the Present

It’s almost the end of December; the end of 2024! There’s a part of me that is experiencing alarm and trepidation about the last few weeks of December and the end of 2024. My immediate reactions are to focus on “too soon”, “not enough”, “not ready”. I’m finding my mind is looping with reflections on the past year and anticipating the new year (2025). That means my eyebrows and shoulders are raised and my jaw is clenched. Now I take a few deep breaths, lower my shoulders and eyebrows. By focusing on my breath, exploring sensations in the body, I come back to the present moment. This brief pausing on purpose to reconnect to myself, and to the present (letting go of the past and future thinking for a few moments) also allows my whole brain to get back on-line. I can calmly and rationally reflect on the year that has been, think about the year to come and make wise decisions for myself according to what I value, what’s important to me, and plan for that. I remember that the present moment is where I experience life most vividly. Here’s a free practice for Pausing on Purpose on my website: https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/resources.

How are you doing here at the end of the calendar year? Are you taking some time to pause, reflect, regroup? Are you also, like the rest of us humans, getting caught up in anticipation or rehashing what’s already been? Are you revisiting what is important in your life now at this age and stage?

Endings and Beginnings are a good time to make space for reflection, gather wisdom and observe our perspective. Sometimes we get caught up in replaying the same stories or focusing on a narrow mindset. While this may be useful for some reflection and learning, it can also limit options and possibilities in our lives. Engaging in the mindful attitudes of beginner’s mind, acceptance, patience, trust, nonjudgment, non-striving and letting go, creates opportunity for seeing and experiencing what’s actually happening in the present moment—to see things more clearly. Formal and informal mindfulness practices assist us in having that “Let’s see” and “Don’t know” approach to things. When we engage in mindfulness practice such as walking meditation, mindful yoga/gentle stretching or sitting/stillness meditation, we can create space for the new and alternative while using the wisdom of reflection. During this busy time of the year, micro-practices may be all that you make space for. Be compassionate with yourself and engage in what’s possible vs. focusing on what’s not. In this way, we are fostering creativity, setting greater intentions, and accessing more wonder, fun and playfulness.

I’m encouraging readers to use this winter season, end of the calendar year and start of a new year, for some healthy, helpful self-reflection to access some gratitude and highlight some learning. I’m encouraging awareness practice around where you’re directing your attention, how you’re setting intentions and exploring attitudes that support your health and wellbeing. What practices, formal and informal, will you engage with to pause on purpose, to engage in much needed rest and regrouping and to observe what’s arising?

Monthly Mindfulness at EUCC might be a great way to start the new year. We will meet on the first Sunday of January, in person or via Zoom on Jan 5th at 6pm, ET. RSVP for Zoom link: (https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/events).

Consider contacting me for individual mentorship to start 2025 off with new perspective: (https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/general-6). Mentoring can assist you in exploring practices that contribute to health and well-being and grow life goals.

Wishing you well as you pause and practice awareness of all that is going on for you. May you find moments of awe and savor those as you reflect and then return to the present moment over and over again,

Karen