How you view your food has a measurable physiological response in the body.
How you view your abilities has a measurable response in the outcomes.
How you view your work has a measurable response in job satisfaction.
How you view your purpose has a measurable response in mental health.
How you view stress has a measurable response in the body and in outcomes.
. . . 
Learning to monitor provides an opportunity to modify.

MONITOR: By stabilizing attention (focusing awareness), we gain an ability to monitor energy and information flow. → Through monitoring, we improve our ability to learn [from the mindset, situation, experience, etc.] by picking up on the subtle details acquired through the senses, bodily sensations, mental activities, and relational interconnection that may be present. By effectively monitoring, we are able to effectively modify our viewpoints and outcomes.

MODIFY: With the focus, depth, clarity, and detail that is acquired through monitoring, we are then able to effectively modify. These modifications can be tangible - pedaling, steering, and braking when learning to ride a bike - or more intangible, such as modifications to viewpoints, attitudes, and emotional intelligence. All producing notable differences in outcomes. 

DEBRIEF: The mind is an incredibly powerful factor in the life equation. Mindset not only matters, it is a strong determinant of outcomes. If you think you can't, you are right. If you think you can, you have a considerable advantage in whatever it is you are dedicating yourself to doing. Monitor your engagement, beliefs, and approach to Modify your resulting actions… all based on the feedback loop presented through mindfulness.

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In health,
Amy Rena Erickson

I tend to be a planner… who prefers to be spontaneous. Hang with me as I set up the point of relevancy…
This past weekend, I vocalized a long-standing motto that has been a guidepost for living in this way -preparation allows me to be spontaneous. It was met with a chuckle as well as an acknowledgement that this makes sense (for me, my personality type… and also for life in general). 
 
Sunday 🎬 Scene: After church, I was open to wherever the day might go. I prepared a bag of hiking clothes, dissertation materials, lunch for the pup, and layers to carry me through the wild weather patterns called “spring” in the Midwest.  ✔️I am prepared to be spontaneous.  (If you're curious, it turned into a glorious day of brunching, napping, and hiking.)
 
You see, if we wait for the moment of application to get prepared, that moment of opportunity might pass by or be more challenging than necessary. While I certainly have an ability to plan the day in advance, I didn't want to. I prefer to be spontaneous. But I have respect for preparing for the opportunities and options that may arise.
 
In a broader sweep of life and skills → If I decide to apply myself to learning [enter the skill], I am significantly more prepared to utilize that skill when it is called upon. 

• Defensive driving to avoid a crash,
• using the heimlich maneuver to save a life,
• pausing before responding (possibly also life saving 🥲),
• slowing down to acknowledge I am upset and modifying as needed,
• holding focus on a singular task,
• recognizing and tending to early signs of stress and anxiety

None of these things are learned in a spontaneous fashion. They require preparation before the scene occurs. Do it daily - the pause, the mind-body system check-in, the mindful movement, flexing the muscle of attention, learning new skills and inner-care method/s that move the needle in life preparedness. Life is spontaneous and largely unpredictable. But investing in preparation for these experiences proves to be a worthwhile discipline. 

​You cannot plan for the unexpected - so you must prepare instead.

In health,
Amy Rena Erickson