Two decades ago I regularly spent long periods in the hospital, having surgery and moving forward hoping for success. Hoping to return to my own bed in my home, my own life, to working even.
No needs to remind a hospital patient about Mindfulness as defined as the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
In the hospital, the day started with a nurse checking how I slept, making notes, and of course temperatures and blood pressures 6 – 8 times per day. After some toast and cereal which I would to make to be some event of my day – then there is usually some medications and blood work to follow.
Sometimes I had to be wheeled to another part of the hospital for another test, at least it was a change in my routine.
No my readers, I feel confident based on experience to say hospital inmates like myself are very mindful.
I won’t be tedious talking about the rest of the hospital day suffice to say after a few weeks or moments you dream of your couch at home like a fish in the desert dreams of the open ocean.
Oregon Coast, one of hundreds of wonderful beaches from a holiday
Mindfulness is something I try to use another way now though. I like to go outside and not read or study, or anything. I look around and try to absorb the breeze. A breeze is wonderful kiss from the earth when you have been inside a ward on an IV for a long time. I remind myself how sweet a breeze can feel when you miss it.
I open my eyes and I look at the trees, the grass, all the plants and I consciously try to see all the shades of green and inhale to detect if the lawn was freshly mown.
I don’t want to take any of it for granted, I want to be mindful of my gift of health.
Life is an incredible gift, and in a blink of an eye it can all change. Forget the phone and computer screens for an hour and sit on a bench along a channel, or listen outside for a bird’s song and be mindful of what you and I are given,.. by being alive.
On a bike ride I took this of a park, long shadows at end of the day
It changes my perspective, by being mindful. How about you?
I sat down today to write a post and this popped out. It is a sunny day here and I just had a bike ride for 45 minutes, I’m feeling appreciative of the privilege. I hope you had a great day, thanks for reading & for your ideas and/or comments.
Humorous thought – I remember the first time I saw a universal remote control – I thought to myself – Wow! This changes everything.
Life and Random Thinking 
💚🐦🐊🐢🐍🌲🌱🌳🌴🌵🌿☘🍀🍃🍏🍈🍐
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My dogs are always after me to lay on the doggie futon with them and just snuggle in a big pile. Me giving belly rubs! I must admit it is a very in the moment experience and we all feel better afterwards. By the way they are 90, 75 and a pup of 60 lbs still growing. It is a real dog pile 🙂 Thanks for reminding me what is important. I am glad for you that your health is back!
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I love your comment, and I get that pets have a special place in our hearts ♥️
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsno truer words spoken .. I volunteer in a large new hospital and have worked in them off and on and it certainly makes one appreciative of every single moment. Especially watching those after heart attacks or amputations …. those like yourself with transplants are in specialised hospitals, and rehab is another regime of pain and torture to get movement back .. we are blessed to be alive and doubly blessed if we enjoy good health 🙂
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Thanks. I was unsure today whether I should share my thoughts but now I feel it was correct.
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absolutely … that’s the beauty of blogging, our posts are sure to connect with someone out there in cyber land 🙂
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Mindfulness works. In my preschool class, we breath and focus and “be”. Children love this. Whenever I am outside I am in the moment, and it is wonderful. I’m the queen of music, from R&B to classical, but there is nothing better than the solitude and pleasure of just ‘being’- no music necessary.
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I love that you are giving these children such a positive experience.
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.js12 step recovery taught me that my dog is much smarter than I. If you were to ask her what time it is, she’d just look at you like you were crazy. If she could speak, she’d ask you “what is time?” She’d also say “it’s right now, silly, and right now it’s time to squeak the toy” (or run run run, or roll in something stinky, or nap…) She’s definitely on to something 😊
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Working on mindfulness now. Great read. It’s like all the forces are reminding me to practice mindfulness.
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An app I like is called headspace, try it 10 times for free and watch the blue sky video with the app. I think you might like it.
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I’m so going to try it. Thank you so much.
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I am happy to meditate and get the benefits and haven’t tried Mindfulness techniques. For me it is that being present in nature, or just the here and now when all the mental noise ceases and a calm joy can seep in. Interesting blog.
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A walk outside, the peace of being surrounded by snow, or the calm of a park – it all works to be present with your thoughts, and thoughtful breathes. Moments like those are perfect for counting our blessings.
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