how to be aware in an unaware world

Tag: attention

Appreciation
Following up my last post on humankind, and all the reasons to be there for one another more now than ever, I wanted to reflect on how mindfulness and appreciation are two of the most connected topics.
With more awareness, we see the whole picture of our lives, neither good or bad, right or wrong, but what simply is.
One thing I have found rises to the top of simple awareness however is an appreciation for everyone and everything around me.
Anywho, this is the aim of this post, to uncover not just what appreciation does to us, but how to cultivate and feed the profound act of appreciation each and every day. Hope you like it!
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” – Voltaire.
Appreciation changes the mind of pure observation and adds a most important ingredient: gratitude.
Appreciation shifts the perspective of an experience from simple observance (which is often turned into judgmental observance because of the ego) to blessed observance (which is appreciating the fullness of an experience through the lens of gratefulness regardless of if the experience is good, bad, or ugly).
Blessed observance fully counteracts judgmental observance because it makes light of everything, not just the good.
And making light does not imply all attached emotions to the good, bad, and ugly aren’t there (in fact they are seen even greater). It means those emotions are lit up, illuminated by the light of appreciation for them.
You can appreciate something without giving it a pass. You can appreciate a bad or ugly experience without saying it’s okay.
It can very much not be okay, and action or speech must be taken to call out wrongdoing or injustice.
But even in those situations we are observing from fullness of appreciation and not partially from judgement.
So then, with the confidence and knowledge that appreciation is not just “good” for us, but rather essential, how do we find a way to express authentic appreciation each day?
This is where mindfulness comes in! During the daily practice of meditation, we open our hearts and minds to all that surrounds us, again, not tainted by any judgement of those surroundings.
If what we see, hear, and feel brings us down; then we can appreciate the light at the end of the tunnel they show us, and make steps to change our immediate environment.
One way during my meditation that I am able to hone in on appreciation is asking a simple question, “What are you blessed with?”
Then I name ten things on each finger that I am presently appreciative for in my life.
1. Family, who love and care for me deeply.
2. Friends, who enjoy my company.
3. A roof over my head.
4. Food in my belly.
5. Clean water to drink.
6. Clothes that keep me warm.
7. The profound practice of meditation.
8. A healthy body to run around in.
9. The gorgeous state of Utah I get to run around in.
10. A great car that gets me anywhere I want.
Appreciation for the littlest of things to the largest of moments. From the very breath I am taking right now to my beloved sister Amanda who passed away when I was eighteen.
Three More Things:
1. Read – How to be more apprecaitive every day.
2. Listen – Appreciating what we already have.
3. Watch – Want to be happy? Be grateful.
April 23, 2026
Criticism
I’ve changed the structure and format of these posts to be more engaging and precise about what the post is about, hope you’ll enjoy this one! If you do find value in my musings, you can Buy Me a Coffee over at buymeacoffee.com/mindfulnessand Thank you in advance!
“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
– George Orwell
This is such a potent quote today, where we are very divided in this country and that division has created callousness towards differing opinions. Orwell is so right to say that the price of liberty is freedom of not only speech but also attention.
True attention holds no reserve judgment or criticism, it involves listening without the two, and even without a response.
I believe Orwell is also not saying that liberty means we should reserve our truest thoughts and opinions for those who will listen either but rather mindfully express those two openly and kindly.
If we were to only speak what comforts the ears of others, and only listen to what comforts our own, we would live in a fantasy, a utopia that is far from reality.
The reality is, that everyone has an opinion, some much more fixed to theirs than others, and instead of avoiding those that we don’t sit well with or fighting back at them, we can have an open mind and just listen. How to Handle Receiving Constructive Criticism
There are small, subtle, impactful ways we can listen to criticism, and in a way, strengthen a mental muscle akin to willpower (the strength to just shut up and listen).
1. Remember there’s a benefit to receiving criticism:
  What benefits you might be asking? Well, criticism helps us improve our listening skills, patience, and relationships as well as helping us find any truth in what the other person is saying.
2. Curtail any reaction you’re having to the criticism:
  We are reactionary creatures it’s true, which is why this takes a good bit of mindfulness. Although it can be challenging to receive criticism from a co-worker, friend, family member, or even someone that you don’t fully respect, just remember that the most accurate and constructive feedback often comes from ‘flawed’ sources.
3. There is a deep understanding of listening to criticism:
  When receiving feedback, cultivate a mindful presence. Engage in active listening, providing a space for the individual to express their thoughts fully and uninterrupted. Once they’ve shared, reflect on their words to them, seeking clarity, such as, “It sounds like you’re suggesting I use a kinder tone, is that accurate?” Refrain from analyzing or challenging their assessment; instead, center your focus on comprehending their viewpoint. Extend understanding by giving the benefit of the doubt, and acknowledging the challenge of delivering feedback. Please recognize that the person offering feedback may feel uneasy or might not articulate their thoughts perfectly.
If this were the mode of operation and standard of thought for that which causes division in the world today, there would be little to no division at all.
Yeah, sometimes what other people have to say sucks and sometimes it’s uncomfortable, but their opinion can open your eyes and face things you might otherwise ignore. How to Handle Criticism Like a Pro
The right to speak openly and even critically is fundamental, no matter how unpleasant it sounds to the status quo. Without this ability, we have no liberty. Have a wonderful day yall!
February 19, 2024
Surprises
“Man is a deterministic device thrown into a probabilistic universe. In this match, surprises are expected.”
– Michael Lewis
The only thing we can truly predict in this world is that the world will be unpredictable. This can scare some people, as we naturally don’t like surprises, but acceptance is the cure.
Another way to describe this is with impermanence. The idea that everything changes, balancing, moving, and the only thing determined is our awareness of that change.
When we step back and simply observe the world around us, we see impermanence in everything, from the clouds moving through the sky to the rain falling, not chasing, not transfixed.
Reflection
My understanding of surprises is that it is truly unknown, unseen, and unrecognizable, thus taking us off guard.
Like a rainstorm that comes in the middle of the day, without any notice or warning (happens quite often in the mountains really).
Surprises can be downright frustrating too as we get older we want little to no surprises, and then get flustered and confused when they arise.
Surprises can be scary, say when we lose a loved one or find ourselves a near-death experience, and have to re-write our narrative in the aftermath.
Surprises can be wonderful and joyous when we see someone we haven’t in years get a new job or are gifted something we’ve always wanted (likely during the holidays right now).
But what surprises me about surprises is how surprised we are so often in our world today.
I can’t think of any other time in human history when humans have been so distracted, so transfixed, and so dull, it’s surprising.
Awareness of ourselves and the world around us doesn’t diminish the surprises, it gravitates them, to a state of real connection, like when the surprise of a gift is received and is cherished or when the surprise of a death is felt so deeply and remembered.
Encouragement
In mindfulness, surprises will still come and go, but there is a pattern of rolling with the punches (and kisses) if you will.
I encourage us to seek understanding and empathy in our surprises, even when they frustrate, scare, enlighten, or brighten us.
Try today to pause, even if it’s for 5 minutes, and follow the breath naturally changing in your body.
Thanks
I have been planning a drastic change in my life that in time would leave this blog and newsletter at a standstill for a while. I have been planning to thru-hike some of the longest trails in the US, embarking on a journey that anyone can follow on YouTube and Instagram.
Thank you so much for reading my rambling, thinking mind. You can find all of my posts on the blog and even search for keywords and as always can support me over at buymeacoffee.com/mindfulnessand if you feel so inclined. Thank you in advance!
Links
December 29, 2023