Mindfulness is noticing things and changes, ideally top-down meaning recognizing that uncertainty is the rule, thus you naturally tune in to your environment. The result of 1+1 isn't always 2: 1 pizza + 1 pizza = 2 pizzas, 1 lasagna + 1 lasagna = 1 lasagna. Also 1+1=10 in base 2. When you know you don't know, you pay attention and notice things. You can't have fun unless you're actively noticing. The world isn't constant, what is true today may not be true tomorrow. Focusing isn't holding still but taking variation into account. Making choices results in a longer life, even if they are small. Changing your mind about simple stuff can change your life, realize that cleaning your house is exercising will go a long way. Most information are given for the group, not the individual, because you can't predict the output for a single occurrence. Most things don't matter but we fail to recognize that, is it a tragedy or an inconvenience? Multi-tasking doesn't exist, your activities are either linked or conflicting. All you have are moments, make them matter, fill your cup with joy. Life doesn't have to be stressful and work doesn't have to be unpleasant, you can make everything fun. Don't wish for less work but more fulfilling work. Being excited for the next day can reduce the amount of sleep you need. You can't break rules you aren't aware of, behaviors and creative work should feel natural. Because everything that is results from a decision made prior, everything can be changed. The rule maker didn't have your situation in mind, only theirs, so write your own rules. Decisions are made to remove uncertainty, everything is up for grabs. Legality is not the same thing as morality and both can change. Behaviors always make sense from the actor perspective, there is no universal right way. The things you fail to change about yourself are the downsides of your favorite upsides: your impatience is the other side of your spontaneity, your trust is possible because you are gullible. You forgive people that you blamed in the first place, but you should have understood their behavior instead. Instead of trying to find what people don't know, try to find what they do know. Importance is in the eye of the watcher and we always benefit from others perspective. Thresholds are made up and labels cause problems, don't constraint the truth. The skills required to perform an activity change as you get more competent. What you've learned at first won't be what you'll need later on, don't freeze your identity. If you don't learn things that you don't care about, you can't be accused of forgetting. Knowing means caring. Taking any life enhancer, drugs or glasses, once is okey, but taking them chronically tells your body to be dependent on it. Asking "Why?" helps engaging in mindful search. It doesn't matter if something hasn't been done more, and it shouldn't be used to deduct rigid boundaries from that, as not done until now doesn't mean impossible forever. What is absolute can't be right forever. Rules and laws divert your attention towards making you believe that only one thing matters. Don't wait for cancer or a heart attack to start living fully. You are paralyzed by a choice if you believe there is a right and a wrong answer, otherwise it doesn't matter. You are never too old to be young. Don't do activities for eventualities, like exercising to age better, but for fun. Your mindfulness during an activity matters more than the activity itself, gamify life as much as possible.
Ellen Langer