Slow down, my brother/sister - that's the simple mindfulness you need, insha'Allah

Assalamu alaykum - Believe it or not, you’re an artist, even if you don’t paint, sing, compose or dance. The way you live your life is a kind of art in itself. Our society pushes us to stuff our minds with so much information and to force meanings onto everything we see. That pressure makes us miss the pure beauty in everyday moments. Often we get a bit of input from the Source - it could be a conversation, a sunset, a page in a paper, or just watching the road - and then we rush to tie it to whatever thoughts are already in our head. That habit forms our quick opinions: we take some things in and leave others out based on filters we’ve built up. Artists don’t live by those filters. They don’t immediately decide a bird in flight is looking for food or running from danger. They stay in a more open, abstract state and observe without judging. That kind of attention is what stirs creativity. To practice seeing like that, try adding simple habits to your day. Here’s what I do most days: 1) When I wake up I take three deep breaths and check in with myself - am I tired, energetic, sore, alright? I do this for a couple minutes right after getting out of bed. 2) I eat slowly, noticing the food, chewing each bite, really tasting it instead of rushing. 3) If I’m at a park I’ll just watch the grass, feel the sun on my skin, or follow a bird for a few minutes. The aim is to train a muscle in the heart and mind so you can tune in or tune out as needed, in any situation. Do this regularly and, my friend, you’re essentially practicing a form of meditation - noticing your thoughts and the world without interfering with them. That’s mindfulness in a simple, everyday way. May Allah make it easy and beneficial, ameen.