Whether you have been in Recovery for years, just getting started or still preparing mindfulness is a way to get in touch with the thoughts rattling around in your head and give yourself a chance to focus on what you decide is important to you rather than being swept away by the tsunami of "to do's" and worries.
Here's an example:
Yesterday I started a new exercise class. All day I found myself worrying about various silly things such as "will I fit in?" "will it take up too much of my time?" "will I become sick because of exercise?" Then I would take a minute of mindfulness and rather than living in my worries pile I chose to focus on this moment right now.
When it came time for exercise class, I was there on time, focused on the class, and engaged. When it was over I was "good tired" but knew I hadn't overdone it!
Which would you rather do - live in your worry pile or be there for this moment fully focused and engaged? When you practice mindfulness those smoking thoughts do get acknowledged- denial is not going to work - but you choose what you want to focus on - work, play, friends, family, fun. It takes practice but there's really nothing more to it than stopping your racing thoughts enough to ask yourself "what am I thinking?" and "what do I choose to think about?"
It's empowering and refreshing - a mini vaca in your day that you can take as many times as you like until before you know it you are living there!
