Try this: Sit comfortably in any position that allows you to breathe with a relaxed belly. Pop some gum into your mouth and begin chewing.

Pay attention to burst of flavor and accompanying saliva. Feel texture of gum as it softens and stretches. Focus on chewing gum on only one side of your mouth ten times, then switch to other side. Continue as you slowly chew, allowing yourself to count to ten before switching sides again. Keep this up for about two minutes while concentrating on chewing motion.

Simple? Sure. Mindfulness IS simple. And it can become pretty easy to focus for short periods, especially if we have a particular physical activity as center of our attention. Many people find this a much easier and more effective way to experience mindfulness than simply sitting and watching thoughts.

There's no need to make mindfulness difficult, uncomfortable or woo-woo. If chewing gum is good for your brain, take advantage of it as an easy way to practice mindfulness.

On a bus? At your desk? Take a two-minute break to chew gum. Nobody needs to know what you're doing. It will be your minty little secret.

Salvation? Okay, maybe not. Here's to salivation!

Last year he severely damaged his knee playing golf and had to undergo emergency surgery which resulted in many hours of physiotherapy and six months plus in lounge chair. ’Confined to barracks’s’ is how Michael described it. But he took it all in his stride putting same endeavour into getting well as he put into other areas of his life.

As both these men are members of our family it never ceases to amaze us how different these two characters are. They both had similar life experiences but when you compare and reflect on their current situation there is one thing that stands out. Michael is determined to be best he can be at 83, just as he wanted to be best he could be at 40, 50 and 60. He rarely, if ever, talks about past. He always focuses on what’s happening now. He has not given up on himself.

Just to show you how amazing human mind is:

The following text gives a good insight into way your mind works. It may appear a bit difficult at first but please stick with it. Don’t give up on yourself.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was raednig! THE PAOMNNEHAL PWEOR OF THE HMUAN MNID Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr ltteers in a wrod are, olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer be in rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? (Unfortunately we do not have originating site.)

Your mind does have phenomenal power. If you start with thought; to be best you can possibly be and continually follow it with sincere action you may get a bit jumbled up from time to time but it will always see you through. There may be some unintended consequences but to have an enjoyable and rewarding life aim must always be; to get best out of yourself.

The point is don’t give up on yourself. Be best you can now, at whatever age you are.

Good Luck

Graham and Julie www.desktop-meditation.com