Congratulations to Tuesday’s election winners. For me it was a practice moment: feeling joy and hope, and not turning those into something else with regard to the losers.

Which is a practice I can’t do without my basic, present moment attention practice. Which always begs the question of how to cultivate that. If mindfulness is present moment attention, courage, and grace, how do we cultivate the first one?

It’s simple (and not easy): we give ourselves time for stillness. To me this is mostly like giving myself a treat every day. Mostly but not every time, because sometimes I struggle. I eye my meditation cushion warily, as if it’s dragging me away from the fun.

But actually, sitting down anyway is always the right choice for me. Even if I set my timer for just five minutes, I feel relief. Why? I’m not forgoing my practice, for one – commitment kept. I’m continuing to re-wire my brain to stay in the present moment, where the science says happiness lies – and who can’t use a little more happiness right now, even after Tuesday? And, I’m being kind to myself, which makes me kinder to others, including…everyone, which to me is worth all the rest.

We know the practice: present moment awareness. But how do we practice when things are so rough and torn?

First, with love. The invitation, moment by moment, is, can I bring not only awareness, but also love?

Second, with courage. Because no matter how much love we bring, this mind, this body, this world, will present challenges. It’s nothing personal - it’s just the way things work. So, courage.

And third, with grace. When I googled grace, I got three things: simple elegance, courteous goodwill, and doing honor by one’s presence. I like all three, for all of us, moment by moment by moment.

Also, Happy Halloween!

Now that everyone and everything is mindful (except the federal government), is mindfulness diluted? I was starting to wonder so I’m digging into the question, starting with, “What is mindfulness, or ‘wise mindfulness’?” which is the next step on the path.

From 10,000 feet, to me mindfulness is looking in and looking up. Looking in, by practicing stillness, examining our fabulous minds and hearts, and then training them to focus and be loving and connect.

And it’s also looking in and up, by (1) stopping throughout the day, (2) taking a breath, (3) noticing our thoughts & feelings plus what we, and everyone else, seems to need, (4) considering how to get those needs met without causing harm, and then (5) changing our minds, if necessary, to do that.

Does that make sense? Of course mindfulness is much more, too. Join me on the Wake Up Call….