Mindfulness

There's a catch word that's the latest thing in the business world today: Mindfulness. Psychology Today defines mindfulness as "a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience." I've got news for all those who think this is a new thing - Jesus was doing it over 2000 years ago!
In the last 10 years or so, companies such as Google, Intel, Target, General Mills and Aetna have all embraced the concept on a corporate level. There are actually policies in place that encourage this practice. The benefits of practicing mindfulness include improved mental health, resilient physical health, lowered stress hormones, better leadership skills and sustained focus on what is most important. Duke and Massachusetts University Medical Schools are not only promoting the practice, but also beginning to produce statistical results for it. The practice of mindfulness involves meditation, yoga and other ancient pan-Asian practices. Though some would say it is Buddhist, the current trend is often among decidedly non-Buddhists. The point of mindfulness is to take a step back, pause, and, most importantly, to be compassionate with yourself and the world around you. (The word Sabbath comes to mind...)
Jesus was always in the moment. Meditation was modeled for us when he went up on the mountain alone to pray. He noticed things. He saw things around him that no one else saw: a tax collector who would walk away from his lucrative business and follow the stranger from Galilee; an outcast Samaritan woman at the well who would become an immediate evangelist; a woman who touched the hem of his cloak and was healed. Jesus stopped and gave his full attention to each of these.
Jesus  only passed judgment on those who were abusing God's plan for their own personal gain (like the Pharisees) or those who were abusing and /or ignoring God's people, the least of these. He taught us great lessons, and there are current studies showing that his leadership style was nothing short of miraculous! (pun intended)
Jesus was too blessed to be stressed! We have no recorded or anecdotal evidence that Jesus ever showed signs of stress. He was sad several times, and he wanted to remain with us just a little longer than God's design. But he didn't stress over it! He talked it over with his dad while some of his closest friends stayed nearby. Then he went on about the business of saving the world from sin and death.
Jesus was completely in the moment when he told his parables, using whatever analogies his listeners could understand. He knew his audience was eternal, so he used universal truths to teach us a better way. He used whatever was on hand when he fed the 5000.  He just took the loaves and fish and blessed them and multiplied them until all were satisfied.
Jesus had compassion. He cried over Jerusalem because he knew they didn't get it.  Even as he died on the cross, he was compassionate - "Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing."
Jesus was all about love, and you have to be present and pay attention to truly love and be loved. So, Christians, let's remember to be mindful as we meditate on His word and our service each day. I encourage you to read up on the whole mindfulness movement, and not be scared away by the religions of many practitioners. Like prayer, meditation is simply one of the many tools we can use to approach the throne of grace. As my mom used to say, "Can't hurt; might help!"