Learning About Mindfulness Worked For Me

by Savannah
(Florida)

(Editor's note: Yes, this success story is worthwhile and yes, the 60's and 70's were a long time ago!)

"You asked for success stories to be shared. I'm not sure mine qualifies when compared to bigger challenges others have faced. But here it is. Use it if you feel it is worthwhile.

I've always been very introverted. I rarely made eye contact and froze in fear when someone I didn't know offered a handshake. My job is fairly technical and I'm pretty much left alone to do it. My supervisors don't come around much because I get my work done accurately and on time.

But I also had more work time available because I didn't join the rest of the department for the company-sponsored group meals. I just stayed in my area, out of the spotlight.

That probably would have been enough until I discovered a flaw in our production process that was costing the company money and wasted time. Even though I saw big problems in our company and had figured out a way to fix it, I didn't dare suggest it. Not right away.

I'll write in this paragraph that I actually attended a workshop that taught mindfulness training. It basically covered the content in the Mayo Clinic link you provided. I didn't get much out of the other points, but the first one, the one you wrote about, being present and noticing details helped me. The intentional breathing pattern was also beneficial.

Where you used orioles, I found inner peace and confidence through morning sunrises. In my part of the country we get some nice ones painted against the ocean. I picked mornings to help me calm down and not stress out about what might go wrong during the day. As you wrote, I turned everything into an emergency. In my case, the things I worried about usually never happened.

I won't tell your readers I was an overnight sensation. Not even close. But I was able to use mindfulness gained from those mornings to stay calm, listen to details without judgement or fear, and make good decisions going forward. That includes presenting my findings and my solution to my supervisor. She appreciated it and implemented the plan right after recovering from the shock of me actually initiating a conversation.

Thank you for writing that column. I can attest to the power of becoming more mindful. I have to tell you that I needed to do some internet research about the hippie references. I don't think we have them anymore, but that was long before I was even alive.

Thank you for allowing me to share. I hope it helps someone else."

Something to Think About

"Think about every good thing in your life right now. Free yourself of worrying. Let go of the anxiety, breathe. Stay positive, all is well."

Germany Kent