That’s one way to shake free of mindlessness.
Mindlessness is going through the motions without even thinking. I couldn’t do that in the dark.
I was forced to be mindful.
Author Ellen Langer begins Part 2 of Mindfulness with its key qualities.
1. Creates new categories
Kids reframe things naturally—sticks become guns; blankets become hide-outs; Ken becomes Prince Charming.
But we adults sometimes lose this imaginative ability.
When the lights went out Sunday, I thought, “We can’t have class now.”
Yet with a couple of flashlight apps and later two small candles, why not? Our class without electricity carried on.
2. Welcomes new information
There’s always more to learn, new information to let in.
Both our prayer leaders yesterday caught themselves unconsciously speaking into the microphone, even though it was dead. But once they became conscious of it, they instead stepped away from the mikes and spoke louder.
3. Considers others’ perspectives
Langer says studies show we tend to blame circumstances when we mess up, but blame others personally when they do.
That faulty attitude can stunt our potential to make useful changes in ourselves, and prevent us from being empathetic toward others.
Yesterday I tried to put myself in Allen’s shoes (our preacher). I immediately became more lenient in judging his sermon because I knew it wasn’t the one he had prepared to preach (but it was good, nonetheless).
4. Increases control over context
Football players don’t get upset when 300-pound strangers pound them. But don’t try that off the football field. Sometimes context is everything.
We typically sing at my church from the lyrics projected on screens. But without electricity to run the projectors, we had to sing from memory.
I became far more mindful of the words I was singing because I was forced to think hard what they were.
5. Values the process, not just outcome
If I were to rank our Sunday service by the outward product, it might have been low. None of the leaders were able to use what they had prepared and it showed.
But Christianity is as much journey as destination. It’s not how polished the outcome is, but how we’re growing in Christ through the process.
And this time, maybe being kicked into darkness made me see a little more light by becoming a little more mindful.
* * *
Linking up with other readers of Mindfulness at The High Calling
laura · 708 weeks ago
Lisa notes 103p · 708 weeks ago
Yes, I thought it was very nice of God to give me that experience so I could apply that chapter. :-) He’s good like that. (I didn’t know flashlight apps existed either until Sunday.)
Being mindful with social media…yes, that is a new challenge that we definitely need to keep on top of. I want to use it positively instead of negatively but it does require awareness.
Dianna · 708 weeks ago
I will also be purchasing that book!
Lisa notes 103p · 708 weeks ago
I think you’ll enjoy the book. I bought a used copy from Amazon. It was written over 20 years ago, but the information isn’t time-bound. It’s not written from a Christian perspective, but you know how we do—look for Truth in whatever we’re reading.
floyd · 708 weeks ago
Lisa notes 103p · 708 weeks ago
I love what you said about Christians not giving up. That’s the goal; keep faith til the end!
barbarah 65p · 708 weeks ago
My recent post The Week In Words
Lisa notes 103p · 708 weeks ago
Yes, I imagine our temperatures were very similar. SO nice the past couple of days.
My grandmother in Mississippi never had AC. Ever. We would always burn up when we’d visit her house in the summer. And she would always freeze when she’d come to ours because of our AC. I guess God designed us to be adaptable within certain ranges. There’s a lesson in that too…
ShaunieFriday 84p · 708 weeks ago
My recent post Name Above All Names
Lisa notes 103p · 708 weeks ago
michellederusha 35p · 708 weeks ago
Thanks for joining in Lisa!
Lisa notes 103p · 708 weeks ago
I also tend to be too rigid so anything that gets me out of a rut is usually a good thing. I’m loving your “Hear it Sunday…” meme. Such a great way to make us more “mindful” of what we’re listening to on the weekend.
bev · 708 weeks ago
Lisa notes 103p · 708 weeks ago
I love that simplicity can still be just as effective now as it was thousands of years ago. The lack of electricity now and again helps me see that. God’s Word still stands.
kirpal singh 15p · 474 weeks ago