# 276 Awareness, Acceptance, Practice, Quality of Life

     Mindfulness is about refining awareness of what's happening in real life. This involves learning to notice, as soon as possible, when awareness has drifted off target. We learn to accept the fact that it does - often in fact! Very gently, effortlessly - but with infinite persistence - we bring awareness back to the task at hand. 
     Regardless of what we previously thought of this task, we accept that it's ours now, and we approach it with "beginner's mind" - letting go of opinions & stories, to minimize distortion, and thus gather fresh direct data.
     When we approach a task eg cleaning the toilet, disgruntled & disgusted, we make ourselves miserable before, during & after the task, likely do it poorly, & likely spread this (self-inflicted) suffering to others. However, if we let go of internal commentary before, during & after the task, and approach it with curiosity & care to perform it well, there's no suffering: no apprehensive dread, no misery during, and no hangover after it's done. We will likely enjoy doing the task because we've unburdened our mind / heart. Furthermore, the work is accomplished more carefully & efficiently, and anyone witnessing our work will be inspired by our mindfulness & work ethic.
     Quality of awareness AND quality of life are BOTH shaped by intelligent continuous practice (and lack thereof).

Photo: Janusz B   www.dpreview.com