Mindfulness is present moment awareness.
"Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience." (Psychology Today)
Watercolor is a surprisingly fun way to live in the moment. Although, you can get lost in the moment when you paint, instead try to focus on the colors and the paint strokes. Pay attention to detail and focus on what you are doing - this will help you become more mindful and be in the present moment.
Exploring mindfulness through conscious creative expression you enhance your experience by developing your capacity to think more creatively, become more solution focused and feel more empowered.
Benefits of Mindfulness and Creative Expression:
Stress reduction
Enhanced health & well-being
Enhanced creativity
More solution focused
Feel more empowered
Greater contentment
More positive outlook
The practice of meditation has many similarities to creative work. The need to focus and become fully absorbed and present to the task at hand as well as developing the capacity to receive what arises, look deeply, generate ideas and develop solutions. The capacity to stay present to, and hold difficult feelings and emotions is enhanced by mindfulness practice and together with artistic expression gives you both the a means to express what is difficult to verbalize and another powerful tool to see how the mind works.
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present to, and accepting of each unfolding moment of our experience. By bringing our full attention to our thoughts, feelings, sensations and emotions we become more aware of our responses to life. We begin to see our habitual way of relating to events as they unfold and where we may be blocking our capacity to be more receptive to change and open to the wonder present in each moment. This deepening awareness allows us to be more accepting of ourselves and life’s challenges leading to a higher level of contentment and the cultivation of a more positive outlook. We begin to see the glass as half full rather than half empty.
There are other ways to practice mindfulness, this is just one fun example that you can incorporate into your life. Be creative, try something new, you might surprise yourself!