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Writer's pictureReisha Jack, LPC-MHSP

Being vs Doing


One thing that gets a huge eye roll from me is the incorrect / over-use of psychological terms and concepts once pop culture gets hold of them. They become hashtags and buzzwords. All of a sudden, everyone is a "narcissist". Some casually describe a moment of directed focus on cleaning and organization as "I'm so OCD" or distraction as having a moment of ADD. Mindfulness has joined the hashtag word bank, becoming one of the many very meaningful concepts that becomes watered down and misconstrued.


Let's keep it simple. There's no need to commercialize or market the concept. Mindfulness is, simply put, being present and aware of the here and now. It is the state of being. You don't need a yoga outfit, gear, and poses to access "the mindfulness". It's wherever you are and whatever you're doing. There is so much power in learning how to BE vs do. Let's walk through a few quick steps on a crash course in being.


  1. Step One - STOP. Whatever you are doing, stop it! Sit or stand still for a moment. Stop moving your body. Breathe. Notice the air flowing through your nose, into your lungs, and exiting your body as you breathe. Trace the air and notice your chest rise and fall with every inhale and exhale.

  2. Step Two - Drop. Drop down out of your head with all of the swarming thoughts and to-do lists and into your body. Use your five senses to check into with your body. What do I see, smell, taste, touch/feel, and hear. Come out of the attic (your mind) and inhabit the rest of the your home.

  3. Step Three - Roll. Let's roll with that. Go deeper. If you think you're ready, check your P.I.E.S. Ask yourself, "How am I physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually?"


Congratulations! You've just practiced being instead of doing. That's mindfulness in a nutshell. Remember, you have no power in the past, so don't stay there. You can't control the future, nor can you get there now. You have complete power and control of yourself in the present. This is the time and place where they all connect. Here, you can learn from the lessons of your past to prepare for the future. The more time you spend here, the more powerful you become. So check in and stay for a while.


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