This week after 33 years I have discovered that I love love love love coffee! I have always loved the smell but have been totally convinced that I could not stand the flavour. What a shock to discover I was wrong. Amazing. And slightly embarrassing after all this time.
I really cannot believe that I have spent so many years convinced that I really disliked it. All it took to change my mind was a open calmness, it really was all in the mind and mindfulness was what helped me to get over it.
I went for a medical appointment last week and it was suggested to me that drinking coffee would be a good way to get my sluggish digestive system to work. Because I was willing to try anything, and because I have tried most other things, I was determined to give it a go. So that is what started it all.
I started the challenge to drink my first cup with a meditation. Once I was chilled and calm I took my first sip. My first thought was that I couldn’t stand the bitterness. I stayed calm though and let the flavour develop and then I started to taste hints of cocoa. My thoughts changed from urrrgh to ummmm! I have not had chocolate for so long that this was a taste sensation. I was so excited!
From hating to loving it in one cup – it really was that much of a change, and all thanks to a mindful approach. And then I had my first beautiful Starbucks Americano!
Just by keeping calm when the first taste hit me I got through that barrier and enjoyed the rest of the experience. So many thoughts came and went and the trick was just to notice them but not to react. Of course now the challenge is to enjoy coffee in moderation and not to become a caffine addict which could undo any health benefit very quickly!
So, my mindfulness challenge to you…
Think of something that you don’t like but that you wish you did – preferably food or drink based.
Enter into this exercise with a calm open mind, perhaps post meditation.
Find a peaceful situation and try that thing again.
Don’t judge the experience just stay with it and observe all of the different parts of the experience. Explore the sensations. Let your thoughts about it come and go.
Maybe, just maybe you will add something new and delicious to your life. Just like me and coffee.
My next goal is to tackle mushrooms.
Mindfulness really can change our views on all sorts of things. Sitting to meditate each day is the start of cultivating a calm, judgement free mind. Once you get used to watching your thoughts, rather than reacting to them, it opens up possibilities. It means that you are able to watch without judgement and this means you might experience things you could have otherwise have ruled out because of a passing thought.
Come on a Revitalise Day to get started with a more mindful way of life. You will love the experience once you enter into it. A day of lovely food, relaxation and a gorgeous location… perhaps this could be your first ‘try it’ challenge of the new year?!
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