After several months of being in “hiding” to finish my new book, Living with the HEART in Mind, I am slowly emerging and reconnecting with the world and my digital routines. It truly feels like being swept away by a river—the injustice, danger, and uncertainty of the current moment feel overwhelming. It brings me back to a question that has often guided my work:

How do we leave this world better than we found it?

Despite today’s challenges, I see so many individuals and organizations continuing to do good. These people are rooted in a strong sense of purpose that supports both their accomplishments and their struggles. You are likely one of them.

At different points in our lives, however, we all reach a moment when we realize something needs to change. We feel a sense of misalignment with our values and beliefs, or we lose motivation for work we once loved. Change, however, rarely begins with a grand gesture; it starts with noticing.

When we pay attention to the flow of internal and external information in our daily lives, we cultivate awareness. Mindful awareness allows us to practice HEART skills with intention, bring them to life each day, and anchor them in our routines. Without awareness, we cannot recognize what we feel, choose how we respond, or stay present with others.

That’s why mindfulness is at the core of Living with the HEART in Mind—not only as a concept, but as a habit to be cultivated. Mindfulness creates the stillness needed to listen for the “sound of the genuine” Thurman describes. When we slow down and pay attention, we become better able to hear and trust our inner wisdom.

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Here’s a small snippet from the book to help you begin the practice of noticing:

In order to cultivate awareness and monitor what is happening in the moment, we need to develop three attitudes:

Openness. Letting go of expectations and being more receptive to and accepting of what is actually happening in the moment. Letting go of judgment and anticipation expands our awareness. Openness could sound like:

 “This isn’t how I thought today would go…but maybe there’s something here I haven’t seen yet.”

Observation. Distancing ourselves from the experience and avoiding being on autopilot in our perception. Observation entails becoming active observers of our own lives. Observation could sound like:

“I notice my heart is racing and my shoulders are tense…something’s stirred up, and I want to understand why.”

Objectivity. Sensing the elements of our experience as objects of the mind, without identifying with them or considering them an absolute reality. Objectivity could sound like:

“I’m having the thought that I’m not good enough—but that’s just a thought, not the truth.”

Cultivating awareness through mindful practices can grow your capacity for authenticity, focus, and presence.

This week, choose one of these qualities to practice. What do you notice? How does your perception change—or stay the same? And how can you use that awareness to support yourself? Leave me a comment below.

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