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At first, I didn’t find it so easy to find the pleasant moments in these times and was looking for “the big things” in life such as a wedding, a party, a gathering with friends… Since I follow the MBSR course, however, I am getting better and better at this. For me, it is very helpful to focus on the little things in life, like for example seeing a flower. It begins to dawn on me that it’s more about the little things in life. I had never paid much attention to that. Now I notice once more how I can enjoy myself in these difficult times.
~ anonymous
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Despite trying to get as many positive things out of life as possible, I still remain an eternal worrier. When I received an email from Vormingplus that the center was organizing a course on mindfulness and worrying, I decided to enroll. Marisa Hoslet gave me many useful tips. Mindfulness, and focusing in a different way, is an ongoing process, not a quick fix. But by taking this course, I can now say that I am currently a “recovering worrier”.
~ Els
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It feels good to be able to ‘be with myself’, meditate early in the morning, eat mindfully and pay attention to what really counts. A week to remember.
~ Paul (about the summer week)
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MBSR has given me a big push towards more insight, awareness of myself and how I live my life.
Mindfulness has given me the hope and belief that I can change things from within myself.
It is not easy to deal with difficult moments. As I learned in the course, I just observe this and keep practicing. I see it as a process, a path that I want to take with gentleness and for which I take my time.
~ a woman, anonymous
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When I started the walking meditation, I felt restless. I had had a busy day and felt a lot of agitation.
The first steps were difficult. I felt that I was walking too fast. My body determined the rhythm. As the exercise progressed, I felt more at peace with myself. The movements automatically became slower. I also became more aware of my steps. I saw the grass and the daisies, I heard different birds. I heard the sounds of the city just as much. And yet, I was able to give these a place and focus on what mattered.
The walk brought me peace, in my body and mind.
~a man, anonymous
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“I wasn’t feeling well that day and didn’t feel like joining the exercises. But after this mindful moment in the sun, I felt a lot better. ”
~ student (anonymous)
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At one point, I couldn’t manage to do anything. I had been suffering from covid for a long time. My immune system was severely compromised. I was often short of breath. Marisa suggested sitting quietly on the chair and to simply be aware of my breathing. She told me I could join the group to do the exercises whenever I felt better.
After a while, I went outside to get some air. Afterwards, I returned to the group. To my surprise, I managed to do the mindful walk, at my own pace. I was able to focus on the sounds in the environment and my feet in contact with the ground, instead of focusing on my thoughts of powerlessness, anger … I was surprised that it was still feasible for me to do the exercises in the end, despite my anxious and limiting thoughts. During the rest of the course, I walked mindfully every day. At the end, I left the course with a smile.
~ student (anonymous)