Two Mindful Days
It's finally here - the final module of my Graduate Diploma in Applied Positive Psychology here in Singapore. I couldn't deny that I felt anxious, fearful even, knowing that the module which will officially conclude my
six months learning journey at The School of Positive Psychology is Mindfulness.
Being a person who is used to being busy all the time, playing different roles, and running a hectic schedule, I began forming a preconceived notion that the Mindfulness course would be something I would dread, where we would all be asked to meditate all the time, and that it would be boring. I came to class with an open mind, and yet somehow, I found myself falling for my own self-fulfilling prophecy - I did get bored at some parts.
Along the way, a number of concepts were interesting enough and caught my attention. The teacher, Ms. Deborah Thurley, always patiently encouraged us to do mindfulness techniques at relevant times throughout the day. For example, when we've just gotten back from lunch, or when we've been given a break in the afternoon, we would do the universal breath technique. It is a technique that allows us to focus on our breathing and become more attuned to what's happening in the present moment.
This went on and each time it does, I found myself feeling a little more relaxed. Having experienced some positive effects on myself, I decided to ride on the class as it proceeded. This morning, 16th of June 2019, I did my usual morning routine as soon as I woke up. The only difference was that I felt ever more alert! I felt things were clearer. I don't think I've experienced that much fresh clarity especially, when I've just woken up. For someone who was skeptical about mindfulness, I thought, maybe this thing really works!
On the second and final session, I went to class today with an even more curious mind and a willing heart to learn. I began to be more open and interested to the concepts of mindfulness as the teacher linked it with science and research papers. Most of all, I felt Ms. Deborah's love and sincere passion to share with us the value and importance of mindfulness. She being an experienced practitioner, guided the class thoroughly and gently within the concepts.
At the end of the two day mindfulness course, I would say there is a significant shift in my perspective as I experienced the positive effect of mindfulness on how I think. I am proud to say that I managed to sit still and really focused on my breathing for five minutes without fidgeting so much! While I might still be the same busy person, I now have the tools and a toolbox to get a hold of my wandering mind, having a much better active role of training it to be where I want it to be. I am happy to acknowledge that I do not regret having taken this course as it gave me hope to live life with more intent and purpose and finally, I am blessed to have been taught by a genuinely, inspiring teacher Ms. Deborah Thurley.
Today is a special day for me. It marks the final day of class after six months of learning and relearning the concepts of Psychology. This time though, my lenses are even sharper, better, and I can see things much clearer. A powerful reminder to call it a day would be this:
Learning to be mindful,
Mary Jedde
Being a person who is used to being busy all the time, playing different roles, and running a hectic schedule, I began forming a preconceived notion that the Mindfulness course would be something I would dread, where we would all be asked to meditate all the time, and that it would be boring. I came to class with an open mind, and yet somehow, I found myself falling for my own self-fulfilling prophecy - I did get bored at some parts.
Along the way, a number of concepts were interesting enough and caught my attention. The teacher, Ms. Deborah Thurley, always patiently encouraged us to do mindfulness techniques at relevant times throughout the day. For example, when we've just gotten back from lunch, or when we've been given a break in the afternoon, we would do the universal breath technique. It is a technique that allows us to focus on our breathing and become more attuned to what's happening in the present moment.
This went on and each time it does, I found myself feeling a little more relaxed. Having experienced some positive effects on myself, I decided to ride on the class as it proceeded. This morning, 16th of June 2019, I did my usual morning routine as soon as I woke up. The only difference was that I felt ever more alert! I felt things were clearer. I don't think I've experienced that much fresh clarity especially, when I've just woken up. For someone who was skeptical about mindfulness, I thought, maybe this thing really works!
On the second and final session, I went to class today with an even more curious mind and a willing heart to learn. I began to be more open and interested to the concepts of mindfulness as the teacher linked it with science and research papers. Most of all, I felt Ms. Deborah's love and sincere passion to share with us the value and importance of mindfulness. She being an experienced practitioner, guided the class thoroughly and gently within the concepts.
At the end of the two day mindfulness course, I would say there is a significant shift in my perspective as I experienced the positive effect of mindfulness on how I think. I am proud to say that I managed to sit still and really focused on my breathing for five minutes without fidgeting so much! While I might still be the same busy person, I now have the tools and a toolbox to get a hold of my wandering mind, having a much better active role of training it to be where I want it to be. I am happy to acknowledge that I do not regret having taken this course as it gave me hope to live life with more intent and purpose and finally, I am blessed to have been taught by a genuinely, inspiring teacher Ms. Deborah Thurley.
Today is a special day for me. It marks the final day of class after six months of learning and relearning the concepts of Psychology. This time though, my lenses are even sharper, better, and I can see things much clearer. A powerful reminder to call it a day would be this:
"Now is all we have.
We can't go back to the past and change it, nor can we travel to the future and see how it looks like. Our place of responsibility starts in our inner world and it starts in the here and now."
Our class picture
Learning to be mindful,
Mary Jedde
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