It is always important to take moments of quiet reflection during the day.
Moments of Quiet Reflection
Mindfulness
I am a great fan of mindfulness. Mindfulness is basically bringing one’s attention to the present moment. For example just drinking coffee mindfully can be like a meditation. Really let your senses savor the aroma, the flavor and become aware of each mouthful. Focus totally on what you are doing and try not to let your mind wander. Give it a go! Actually, not long ago I saw an advert for ‘mindful wine tasting’ – the mind boggles!
Quiet Reflection
For me moments of quiet reflection are not the same as mindfulness. For example, adapting some t-shirts for our dog Ringo to wear in the winter. He is quite a delicate little soul and the veterinary surgeon said he should wear a t-shirt to keep out the cold. Well I hate to be a skinflint but the cost of dog t-shirts is phenomenal. So I bought three child-sized t-shirts for peanuts (well €4 for the three is almost peanuts).
For one, I tried to maintain mindfulness as I made the amendments. I focused on each stitch and fold in the material. It took me a while to do. I kept pulling my mind back to focusing on my hands and what I was doing and the love I had for Ringo. The other two gave me time for quiet reflection. I allowed my mind to think through one or two issues I have been grappling with, but very gently. Not in a stressful way. And allowing my mind that space meant I found the solutions very easily. You know, sometimes when you are caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life you can’t ‘see the wood for the trees’!
Fond Remembrance in Quiet Reflection
Dealing with any loss encourages quiet reflection. I lost someone very dear to me a few years ago and I remember her best in the moments of stillness. When we found that our old outside cat Alfie, 14 years old, had died overnight, it was not unexpected as she had cancer. But still, as I carried her down to the woods I did so quietly, remembering her life. She lives on in Stevie Mouse and many others (she is Stevie’s grandmother). So every time I see the other cats I still see Alfie.
A life well lived leaves no sadness, just memories. And you find the memories in moments of quiet reflection.
This article was originally posted in 2017 and updated on 26 November 2021.
Before you go
My name is Dorothy Berry-Lound an artist and writer. You can find out more about my art and writing at https://dorothyberryloundart.com.
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Thank you for reading!
A blog to be ‘mindful’ of. Well illustrated and the poppies and the roses are reminders of joy and sadness – quiet – still – a time to think and reflect – and a time to find peace within yourself. Beautifully illustrated – even Ringo.
Thank you Roy, the time of year but also circumstances for quiet reflection.
Thank you for the reminder to make time for mindfulness and to allow reflectiveness to become a part of how we go about life/remember important people, etc.
So important to remember to take that time. Thanks for the comment Molly.