Mindful Moments: Perfecting The Pause - Chapter Seven (for Beta-Readers)

ericvancewalton(80)

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For those of you who weren’t aware, I made this announcement over a month ago about my new book.

In That Original Post I Explained...

Over the next few months, I’ll be rereading all of the post comments, enhancing the posts, and crafting them into the final chapters. When these chapters are complete I’ll have an open call for beta-readers on Hive to read the manuscript and offer feedback.

What Is A Beta-Reader? (from Wikipedia)

Beta Reader: a test reader of an unreleased work of literature or other writing (similar to beta testing in software), who gives feedback from the point of view of an average reader to the author. A beta reader is not a professional and can therefore provide advice and comments in the opinions of an average reader. This feedback is used by the writer to fix remaining issues with plot, pacing, and consistency. The beta reader also serves as a sounding board to see if the book has had the intended emotional impact.

The Process Of Writing Mindful Moments

This book project has been like no other one I’ve ever worked on. First, it’s taken way longer to write than a book written in the traditional way. Secondly, it’s been so much more enjoyable to let the ideas for the chapters naturally bubble up into my imagination.

I thank you in advance for your notes and feedback in the comments below. It’s been very valuable to me so far and will help to create a book which, hopefully, helps lots of people improve their lives for many years to come.

Chapter Seven – You Are What You Think

For a myriad of reasons the year 2020 has been a struggle for us all. Although it's been difficult, it’s taught me a lot about the importance of maintaining a proper mindset through difficult times. A few months into the pandemic I began to crave topics of conversation that were about anything other than the negatives that everyone else was discussing like: divisive political leaders; the COVID-19 pandemic; civil unrest; financial hardship; etc.

I soon discovered that there is something far more dangerous than any contagion could ever hope to be. An obsession with negativity. All of us are being submerged, 24/7, in a toxic soup of horrific stories and equally nightmarish theories of how these catastrophes have originated in the mainstream and social media. To make matters worse It seems for every story there’s a counter story that is almost equally as believable. This can be so disorienting and make us feel like it’s impossible to uncover the truth. Being surrounded in this kind of negativity and confusion for any length of time is extremely toxic and can make us feel like we’ve lost all control of our lives.

It’s absolutely imperative to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health to find a way to take back some measure of control and cleanse yourself from all this toxicity. While you can take appropriate measures to limit the amount and sources of news you consume, it’s more difficult to escape all of the other people in your life who are still addicted to these negative news outlets and pointless arguing on social media.

“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.” - Charles Swindoll

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Structure

When you’re immersed in a time of hardship you feel disconnected and disoriented. There’s so much that’s completely out of our control. How we design our daily schedules during a forced quarantine or other times of hardship like unemployment is something we still have absolutely one hundred percent control over. By purposefully designing your day you’re at the same time exerting some measure of control over your life in a time where you feel helpless and this is empowering.

Wake up at a specific time every morning. Set alarms on your mobile device for certain times of the day for activities like yoga, reading, workouts, taking virtual classes, walking the dog, and anything else you enjoy doing. Consciously fill your day with activities that fill you with a sense of positivity and purpose. This kind of daily routine keeps your body healthy and your mind occupied. It makes you feel like you have a measure of control and provides less time for anxiety or depression to creep in. Always try to remember, this too shall pass.

Keeping In Touch

Socializing face-to-face is always best but when this isn't possible make it a point to use technology to keep in closer contact with family and friends, especially those who are elderly and/or more vulnerable. It could make a massive difference in the mindsets of everyone involved. Video calls are a great alternative to face-to-face communication when in-person socializing isn’t possible. Humans, even us introverts, are social beings and we need to communicate with others for our days to feel complete and fulfilled.

Thinking About Your Future

How we deal with crisis, like anything else, is largely a matter of perspective. In times of chaos we must learn to be flexible and adjust our plans to sudden changes that are beyond our control. Always try to challenge feelings of discouragement and, instead, try to find readjust your approach and continue moving forward towards your goals.

Many times you’ll notice something amidst the despair that can be a true gift in disguise, like the chance to pivot into a completely different career or project. I had planned to launch a YouTube travel channel this year and my wife and I had several trips booked to begin that adventure. Of course 2020 continued on trend and travel restrictions were put into place and we had to cancel all those trips. I was feeling extremely discouraged about it but instead of giving into self-pity I decided to shift gears and used my time in forced quarantine to create this book. Now, instead of wasting countless hours moping and watching Netflix I have something more positive to show for that time.

Write down, in detail, what you want your life to be like in the next decade of your life. Use the Notes section at the end of this chapter to jot down three things that you would like to accomplish in the next twelve months and set out to make them a reality.

These should be things that, in some way small or large, will make the quality of your life better than it was before. Despite all of the negative things that are happening around you that are outside of your control, try to use your time to reinvent a better version of yourself. On a personal note, I’m still planning on launching a travel channel when the time is right and it’s coming more and more into focus every single day.

Helping Others

Nothing helps to take your mind off of the negativity surrounding you more than helping others. I've found a mobile phone app called NextDoor that allows people in the same neighborhoods to connect. People in our neighborhood are offering to run errands for those who can't make it out of their homes. This could make a huge difference in the lives of the elderly or those with mobility issues. Technology now makes helping those in need easier than ever before and it gives you a sense of satisfaction and purpose in return.

“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Meditation For De-Stressing and Spiritually Detoxing

The following simple meditation will help you to expel negative emotional states like fear, worry, and anxiety. Remember, we tend to attract into our lives whatever we dwell upon. Dwell on negativity and we attract more of it into our lives. Focus on the positive and that's exactly when you will manifest into your life. Always remember the quality of your thoughts dictate the quality of your life so learn to regularly monitor your thoughts and be conscious of what is happening within your headspace. You are what you think and our thoughts are more powerful than you know.

Find a quiet, private place. Sit upright in a comfortable chair with your eyes closed and concentrate on your breath for a count of thirty.

INHALE for a count of 5 through your nose (sniff the flower). Imagine breathing in bright white light. Breath deeply enough that your belly expands with the inhalation. This will insure that the lower lobes of your lungs are bathed with oxygen;
HOLD the breath for a count of 5. Concentrate of the feeling of pure health, vitality, and perfect peace;
EXHALE for a count of 7 through your mouth (blow out the candle). Envision negative emotions exiting with your breath, like soot from a chimney; and
REPEAT for as long as you like (at least 3 repetitions).

After you practice this very simple meditation technique for even a few minutes it’s very helpful to linger in that place of peace and calm, focusing your mind on your happiness, health, and overall well-being.

[Insert 6 blank “Notes” pages]

In Gratitude,

~ Eric Vance Walton ~

I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.

Alarm Clock Dawn, one of the first full length novels published on the blockchain, and the book that started it all for me can be found HERE. Or Click Here to read it for free on the Steemit blockchain