Do You Have the Strength and Courage To Be Present?

Maybe you are “here” but are you present and mindful of your feelings, emotions, surroundings and environment?

In our hyperconnected high-tech world and fast-paced lives, many of us are disconnecting from ourselves. People have too much to do, they react, go through the motions but don’t pay attention. Have you ever been driving...reached your destination and...have no memory how you got there?

The other day I was watching TV while working at the kitchen table. My wife told me she was going to the family room to watch the same program and asked me if I wanted her to turn the TV off. I said, “no, I’ll turn it off.” And then ‘click’, she turned turned the TV off...

Hello! Did you hear me? You need to close all the "windows" in your brain!

In today’s business world, leaders are facing more situations that require them to be in tune with their self-awareness and emotional intelligence in order to be successful. And is science, there has been breakthrough research in cognition, specifically the impact of mindfulness on brain plasticity or the ability of the brain to adapt to change.

“Even a few hours of meditation can change the epigenetics of our brain.” - Richard Davidson, cognition scientist.

Successful leaders realize that they need to be more self aware and are adding mindfulness training to their daily lives just like they added physical fitness years ago.

Let’s say someone sends you an email, text, Twitter, or Facebook post that is negative or hostile. What is your reaction? Many people react out of anger and shoot off a terse reply. What did you gain? Did you make a positive impact? Now imagine you are mindful.

In a mindful state you wouldn’t do anything right away. First you would take a breath, a deep breath. Then you begin processing your mental and physical reaction to the negativity, thinking carefully about how to stop the negative dynamic from taking shape. Reflecting before reacting is the first step to being mindful.

Think about this the next time your child hits your hot button. Reflect and don’t react right away. Think about not reacting. Think about why this action is making you mad or angry. Think about making a positive dynamic. Ask your child why they did what they did and don’t take “I don't know” for an answer. AND don't react to their answer. Think about why you might react explosively. Are you tired, over-worked, hungry, stressed? Don’t take your stress out on your child. Give them a hug. Calmly let them know how you are feeling and why their actions are “making you crazy”. Tell them you love them.

So be mindful. Take time to meditate or learn to meditate. Meditation can be as simple as sitting quietly and controlling your breathing. The benefits are many. Studies show that mindful meditation improves “self-regulation”, or the ability to control our “thought, affect, behavior, or attention”. In other words it allows us to be more aware of what is going on in our mind, why we think the way you do, act the way we do, and enables us to confront and deal with our fears, insecurities, and perceptions.

According to the World Health Organization, the costs of stress to US businesses is as high as $300 Billion in lost productivity, healthcare, illness, and chronic diseases, like high blood pressure. Mindfulness training reduces stress and leads to a healthier lifestyle.

Didn't your mom tell you to count to 10 before reacting?

Thank you for this opportunity to serve you.

Master Chris Berlow, 6th Dan

Professional Martial Artist, Owner, and Author

UMAC Briarcliff

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