PSALMS 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast established: what is man that thou art mindful of him?
[Revised Standard translation]
The Hubble Space telescope estimates that there may be hundreds of billions of galaxies in the universe. One German super-computer estimated that the number may be as high as 500 billion. We, inhabitants of the planet Earth, live in one of those galaxies---the galaxy called the Milky Way. Eight other planets reside with Earth in this solar system. We used to have nine planets until some astronomers decided that Pluto should be “demoted” to “dwarf planet” status in 2006.
Recently, however, scientists have reviewed the definition of “planet” and included Pluto back into the planet category. See, “Welcome Back Pluto, Planethood Debate Reignites,” by Mike Wall, May 11, 2018, www.space.com/40550-pluto-planet-debate-flares-up-again.html.
When we consider all of the other amazing creations in our universe and our galaxy such as the Sun, the Moon, the various star clusters and constellations, like Orion (The Hunter), The Plough (The Big Dipper), Polaris (called The North Star or The Pole star), no wonder that a shepherd tending a flock of sheep thousands of years ago (a star gazer) might declare in amazement: “what is human[kind] that THOU art mindful of him[her].”
Although some days we might think otherwise, the Bible declares that GOD is so mindful of us that even the very hairs on our heads are all numbered (Matt 10:30). Oh, how ironic it is that humankind should become more enamored and more mindful of those hairs than of GOD. Or, that we, the created, should become more mindful of the things that we create (e.g., iPhones, tablets, video games, iPads, laptops, cars, homes, clothes, money, war, tweets, etc.) than we are of our AWESOME CREATOR, GOD.
MINDFULNESS
What exactly is “mindfulness?” One psychologist suggested we might consider three definitions:
- Mindfulness is letting go of taking things for granted: “Mindfulness challenges us to awaken from these mind-habits and appreciate the little things…”
- Mindfulness means to return to the present moment: “Many may explain: I can’t be mindful. I can’t stay in the moment! But the reality is, no one’s mind stays in the present moment. And, considering the nature of what our mind needs to process and compute in each moment, we would not be able to chronologically control our mind to stray. But, we have control over the return. We can always return our mind to the present moment, return it to our breath or our senses, which can be found in the present moment…”
- Mindfulness is the self-regulation of attention with an attitude of curiosity, openness and acceptance: “This is the operational scientific definition of mindfulness put forth 13 years ago…The scientists used the word “self-regulation” to refer to how you can take control of your attention, you can regulate your focus…”
See, “3 Definition of Mindfulness that Might Surprise You, Getting at the Heat of What Mindfulness Is,” by Ryan M. Niemiec, Psy D., November 1, 2017, www.psychologytoday.com/us.
MINDFUL EATING
Today, those who study eating are finding that being mindful about eating is still extremely important. According to Stephanie Vangsness in “Mastering the Mindful Meal:”
It may come as a big surprise to learn that “mindless” eating or eating without
awareness, can have negative health consequences. Scientists are beginning to evaluate and better understand the complex role of the mind-body connection in eating behavior. It turns out that when our mind is tuned out during mealtime, the digestive process may be 30% to 40% less effective. This can contribute to digestive distress, such as gas, bloating and bowel irregularities.
Gas and bloating aside, overeating and obesity are perhaps the most significant health problems caused, at least in part, by mindless eating. The mind-body connection plays a pivotal role in our ability to accurately assess hunger and fullness.
[Emphasis added.]
Ms. Vangsness goes on to state that while “the precise mechanism of hunger and fullness are not completely understood,” there is a connection between the brain and central nervous system and the signals they receive from the body when food is desired or needed. These “signals” are caused by many ‘triggers” including our mood. “Once eating is underway, the brain has a key role to send out a signal when fullness is approaching. If the mind is “multi-tasking” during eating, critical signals that regulate food intake may not be received by the brain. If the brain does not receive certain messages that occur during eating, such as “the sensation of taste” or “satisfaction,” or is not mindful of these “signals” and “triggers”, “the brain may fail to register the event as ‘‘eating.” This lack of mindfulness thus leads to overeating. See, “Mastering the Mindful Meal,” by Stephanie Vangsness, R.D., L.D.N., C.N.S.D.
CREATING A MINDFUL DAY
Today, let’s try to focus---really focus
Today, NO multi-tasking while eating. Instead of the usual “picnic” in the car, or “entree” around the computer or at the workstation, stop and focus just on eating. Try not to mindlessly eat while doing other tasks. When you eat, focus your mind and your energy on the single task of just eating—not reading and eating, not studying and eating, not walking and eating, not driving and eating and not watching TV and eating. Stop everything else you are doing and just eat. Taste the food. Look at the food. Feel your fullness. Notice your chewing.
Today, let’s also include “mindful praying.” Be mindful of your prayer and to WHOM you pray. Try not to rush through the old “grace/food prayer,” or the “nightly prayer,” or “the morning half-awake prayer.” Instead, take a few minutes and focus. Focus and talk with GOD. Focus and really thank GOD.
Instead of focusing on the hurricanes, storms, fires, life, the latest tweet, just focus on GOD and give thanks.
Today, like the shepherd David, take time to just be mindful of just how AWESOME GOD IS.
Have a mindful day and BE BLESSED!
