Ah yeah,
Welcome to this week's Mindful Monday.
Meditation practice and guidance and this week I'd like to pick up on a quote that I read last week regarding um regarding the World Cup actually and a comment made by an English footballer Anthony Gordon following The.
The victory against Mexico in Azteca Stadium.
When the team hung on for a win when they went down to 10 men.
And I think it's really interesting to combine these two worlds and mindfulness and football,
Which may not always be connected,
Obviously.
And also noting and hoping that this doesn't prove to be too hard to hear,
Too negative.
Given the the results,
Certainly for England in the semifinals,
But I guess also for any other teams that viewers may be interested in.
Have supported be supporting unless you're Spanish in which case I'm sure that you're delighted today and congratulations on your win!
Yeah and so this is a quote from Anthony Gordon referring to what he did during the game against Mexico.
And I think it's really interesting because what he managed to do is to engage in mindful behaviors,
Present moment awareness,
Connecting with himself,
Not being distracted by stressful unhelpful thoughts.
Whilst he was running around a football field.
Being watched by thousands in the state and millions at home.
And so the suggestion is.
.
.
The invitation is the opportunity to do exactly that.
And in our lives right when we're not necessarily under that same kind of pressure.
Whether we're at home,
Whether at work.
Whatever we're doing.
Perhaps we can do the same sort of thing.
And so what I'd like to do is invite you into a short practice really just,
And I'll read out this quote.
And see how it lands for you what comes up which you notice again so just discussion any thoughts that may come up any feelings any uh and any kind of sensations in the body.
Really,
Of course,
What we try to do with this whole process is to try and see what's going on,
What's happening for us in the present moment.
All of our experience counts,
Not just what we're thinking,
But what we're feeling.
The more we can closely connect to that,
The more powerful our relationship with the present moment becomes,
The less likely we are to be disrupted and to be carried away.
By unhealthily stressful.
Yeah so perhaps taking a moment and perhaps it'll help to close your eyes maybe shift posture If not then lowering the gaze,
Softening your gaze.
And perhaps taking a few deeper breaths.
It may help to notice the contact point,
Maybe your feet on the floor,
Bum on the seat,
Your hands resting.
This is what he had to say when he was interviewed after the game.
I was speaking to myself the whole game.
Try to stay present.
Follow my bread.
And just compose myself.
I know my mind's going to create all kinds of scenarios.
And I'm just going to forget it all.
And come right back.
I was speaking to myself the whole game,
Trying to stay present.
Follow my breath.
And just compose myself.
I know my mind's going to create all kinds of scenarios,
And I'm just going to forget it all.
And come right back.
Yeah,
So staying present,
Pulling your breath.
It can work almost anywhere,
Anytime.
Perhaps taking a few moments just to see how those words sink in and I found that really instructive.
This amazing footballer under the most intense pressure is able to do this.
And do it successfully.
Helpfully,
Supportedly.
How could it be for us to try the same thing to try to do the same thing to see how that could be for us in our lives,
In our moments,
When we are.
Noticing,
Able to notice that we are being distracted.
These scenarios have been created in our mind that are often not helpful.
And just forgetting it all and just noticing and coming.
.
.
Back to the present moment and whatever anchor point.
We will use in those situations whatever anchor point we are aware of now.
It's the breath moving in the body,
Feet on the floor,
Your hands resting.
It's feeling that connection.
Where you are.
How you are.
Here.
Yet in this present moment.
Being here.
Now.
As best you can,
As much as you can.
Short practice,
Slip away gently.
In your own time.
And movements that may fill.
Helpful.
Valuable.
So I hope you found that helpful.
Yeah,
And that it,
You know,
However successful.
You can be with that is fine and remembering that you know we are simply trying to do our best with all of this and not trying to succeed or achieve a certain level just do the best we can and see how that can.
How that can be for us.
Yeah,
So thank you very much for your time.
Once again.
And until next week.
Bye for now.
