What Olympians have uncovered about mindfulness. 

The Olympics brings us into conversation.  It’s not just the athletics, but also the reactions and the relationships and the stories. They are so super-human and yet so very, very human.

Which brings me to mindfulness.  I came across an article this week on how the mental strategies for Olympians has changed over the years. “Zoning in” to zone out the chaos used to be king.  But now it’s mindfulness.  Not tuning out the ups and downs, but being very present to them.  Not quieting the feelings, but acknowledging them and honoring them.  

When explored and fully felt, anxiety and stress can bring forth feelings of “intensity” and “electricity”.  And when fully reflected, disappointment and turbulence can grow into feeling so “rooted” that you are gifted with "authenticity".   

And as we watch their stories of triumph and loss, it’s a beautiful time to acknowledge and feel our own triumphs and losses. In meditation or during a mindfulness activity (like walking silently), we can tap back to these kinds of moments in our own life - big and teeny tiny small - and fully feel them.  We can be curious about what feelings these moments in our own life have grown into.   

The Olympics can bring us into conversation with ourselves.    

Finding Present Meditation:   Think back (or rewatch) an Olympic moment that moved you.  Let your mind focus on the emotion, and breathe.  Don’t label the emotion as positive or negative - it doesn’t matter.  What matters is that you are fully feeling it.  Feel it in your body.  Just focus on the emotion, and breathe.  

When you feel present,