A couple of weeks ago I ran into someone who had in the past been a “regular” at one of the drop-in community mindfulness groups that I lead but had been absent recently.  Per usual for people I have not seen in a while, she apologized for her absence and explained that her schedule had changed, lamenting that she was not practicing much right now due to this change.  But added that she was now able to attend a regular yoga class.  I complimented her on her flexibility.  And reminded her that in order be consistent with our commitment to practice we have to be flexible about the form, and accommodate the stuff that happens in our lives. She seemed relieved and off the hook.

Let’s face it.  Life happens. We get thrown curveballs, circumstances change and our own needs and abilities shift over time.  But the best way to remain consistent is to stay connected to our intention to practice.  This applies to just about anything: mindfulness, healthy eating, exercise or self-care.  If our commitment is to the form rather than the intention, it is easy to fall off the wagon, so to speak.  The first day we get up too late to get to our cushion before work, or have one too many cookies, skip the gym or run out of time for ourselves, we are likely to give up on the whole endeavor.  Why bother when we can’t keep up with the program?  But if our commitment is to our intention, then we can re-evaluate and recommit at any moment.

We can learn to be flexible by being realistic, accommodating the conditions of the day. When we can’t sit for the full 10 – 20 – 30 minutes, can we take a moment before we get out of our cars to just be present?  Can we take a 10-minute walk if the gym is out of the question today?

Having this kind of flexibility with our practice is a practice in and of itself. If one of the benefits of practicing mindfulness is to be able to be with things the way they are, then that has to include change. In working with the inevitability of change we have the opportunity to connect on a deeper level to our practice and therefore, ourselves.  Our intention is the gateway.

When change happens and circumstances shift, remember your intention for practice.  See the opportunities to gain clarity.  Why did you set out on this journey of sitting 10 – 20 – 30 minutes a day?  Was it a reasonable expectation to begin with?  Should it be shorter or a at different time of day?  It’s ok to make some adjustments, based on how it really goes for you.  Make sure it is not just something you think you should do.  Even if it is a recommendation from your doctor, find your own connection to it.  You can do this by asking yourself what would you be able to do, feel or have if you regularly meditated, got some exercise, lost the weight or took time for yourself.

Let go of the ideas of how you think it should go.  Has something significant changed since you established this practice?  Unforeseen schedule changes?  Kids returned home?  Need more sleep?  Adjusting can be a way to accept change, both the wanted and the unwanted kind.  It helps our mindfulness practice become a part of our everyday life.  What good is a mindfulness practice, if it doesn’t come in handy?

Lastly, being willing to evaluate the form, of our practice and make adjustments helps us to not give up on ourselves.  In recommitting to our intention, we are recommitting to our own health and well-being.

So, this year, when stuff happens, take the opportunity to remember your intention, be flexible about the form and kind to yourself.  It’s your life.  Make it your practice.