Friday Musings—31/05/24

How’s your week going? Reflecting on mine, here are some insights and stories I’d like to share.

In case you've missed it, my latest post is devoted to my recent stay at Lake Maggiore, Italy, which proved to be a great reminder of the benefits of being near water and cultivating a "blue mind".

 S.T.O.P.

Five seconds is usually all it takes to form a first impression of someone. Our brains have evolved to make quick judgments to sort people into understandable categories. This instinct helped our ancestors decide if they were in danger, but in our everyday encounters, it can lead to snap judgments we may regret. Can you relate to this?

In this TEDx Talk, youth empowerment activist Quita Christison shows us how to turn five seconds of unconscious judging into five seconds of conscious observation. Her tool consists of the acronym S.T.O.P., which stands for “See The Other Person.” This isn't about taking five seconds to openly stare at someone, give them side-eye, or an up-and-down look. Instead, it’s about taking that first moment when meeting someone to ask ourselves how we want to think and act, and what the other person is showing us. If everyone took five seconds to go beyond their initial perception and really see the other person, we could move from judging to using our judgment and being more respectful. As Christison says, the world sure could use more respect.

Cultivating nonjudgmental awareness

We don't want to rush to judge others, and we also want to practice nonjudgmental awareness towards ourselves and our circumstances. In this 15-minute guided meditation, we can open up some space for ourselves to sit with what is and find some room to just let ourselves be human for a little.

Over time, practicing mindful nonjudgmental awareness will allow us to experience every kind of moment with discernment and acceptance, rather than judgment, reactivity and remorse. What helps you practice nonjudgmental awareness?

My newfound journaling practice

A while ago, I shared that I wanted to start journaling again but kept postponing buying a new journal. In fact, I've been putting it off for a couple of years... Recently, my mom gave me an extra notebook she had lying around the house, and I had no more excuses! I've been following a super simple journaling routine all week, and I'm already feeling the positive effects.

I keep the notebook on my nightstand and, as soon as I wake up, I start by writing down my dreams (I have a lot of nightmares) and then jotting down how I'm feeling and what I have planned for the day. I usually wake up feeling tired and upset due to the nightmares, so my days typically start off badly. However, dedicating these 10 minutes to journaling allows me to unload most of the negative feelings and start thinking about the day ahead with a clearer mind. By the time I get out of bed, I feel more positive and in control.

In the evening, I grab my notebook as soon as I get into bed and do a brain dump of the day. I'm starting to notice patterns: certain activities or interactions energize me, while others sap my energy; some worries come up repeatedly, while others seem less important once I write them down; and feelings I wasn't even aware of become much clearer once I reflect on the day.

If you have a journaling practice in place, I'd love to hear about it. Do you have a set routine or specific journaling tips?

Quote of the week ✍️ 

"Be curious, not judgmental".  ( falsely attributed to Walt Whitman)

As always, I welcome your insights or questions. Which musing was your favorite? What do you want more or less of? Any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments or send me an email. Don't forget to share this with someone who may find it interesting.

Enjoy your weekend and TTYS

ML