theconnectionsnj.com HEALTH & WELLNESS PAGE 33 talk a lot about mindfulness as a wellness coach and yoga teacher. Mindfulness practice develops the skill of bringing one’s attention to whatever is happening in the present moment. We develop this when we sit in meditation, and also as yogis when we focus in our asana practice. If you’re not familiar with mindfulness, consider this true story that happened to a friend of mine at the end of a retreat in the Sideman Valley in Bali. The Balinese people are spiritual from birth. They live a life of devotion and gratitude, and they focus on the present moment as a way of life. My friend Rita was being driven to the airport by a local man named Wayan. Rita sat up front with the driver. As they were traveling down the road at dusk, Rita asked him why she had not seen anyone in Bali get angry or even look cross. Before Wayan could answer, a motorbike stopped short directly in front of them, and Wayan’s car hit it. The driver of the motorbike was thrown off his bike onto a grassy hillside. His shoes went flying in the other direction. Wayan left his vehicle to attend to the driver on the hillside, while a local safety patrol officer went to get the shoes. Somehow, neither the motorbike driver nor his bike suffered any injury. Once reunited with his shoes, the driver hopped on his bike and drove off. Wayan walked around his vehicle to see the damage, then got back in the car and resumed the route to the airport. Rita apologized for distracting him while he was driving. He replied, “You didn’t cause the accident.” She asked, “Aren’t you upset about the damage to your car? Will it cost a lot to repair?” Wayan replied, “The accident is in the past. Everyone is ok. My car is still drivable. I don’t need to pay attention to any damage right now. Right now, my job is to get you to the airport on time.” Can you imagine that happening where you live? Or can you imagine reacting that way if you hit someone on a motorbike when you were driving? Wayan demonstrated true equanimity. He did what was required of him in the moment, (making sure the motorbike driver was ok and that his car was drivable.) He then moved on to the next moment, where he resumed his job of getting his passenger to her destination. Facing each moment with acceptance and kind curiosity, doing what is required, then moving on to the next moment. THAT is mindfulness. You might be thinking: that’s not possible in this country, and it’s not possible for you. But there is a growing mindfulness movement around the world. Corporations in this country are providing mindfulness training to their employees. My cousin, an attorney, developed a program to teach mindfulness to lawyers. When more people practice mindfulness, there is more understanding, love, and compassion in the world. Experiencing each moment lets you feel your connection to other beings. You can start with baby steps – it will be worth it. Jane Cooperman is a Mayo Clinic-trained Health and Wellness Coach and a Registered Nurse. Visit her website for more information: janecoopermanwellness.com or call/text her at 201-240-4735. What I Learned About Mindfulness in Bali By Jane Cooperman LESSONS LIFE COACH FROM A I Jane Cooperman Wellness About Jane I am a Certi ed Wellness Coach trained by the Mayo Clinic and a Registered Nurse. Work with me to nd the path to your best life! Located in Berkeley Heights Serving clients in NJ & anywhere in the U.S. Contact Info Stuck? • Seeking work/life balance? • Want to be healthier? • Can’t stick to a program? • Feeling Caregiver Stress? • Grieving a loss? • Need to make a change, But it’s so HARD? Work with me. Call/Text: 201-240-4735 healthcoachjane1@gmail.com www.janecoopermanwellness.com Restore Your Natural Beauty COSMETIC EYELID ENHANCEMENTS BOTOX JUVEDERM RESTYLANE RECONSTRUCTIVE EYELID SURGERY SUSAN R. CARTER, M.D. Director of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Diplomat American Board of Ophthalmology Fellow American Society Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons Former Professor at the University of California at San Francisco With over 15 years of cosmetic and reconstructive experience 65 Mountain Blvd. Ext. Warren, NJ 07059 In the Warren Medical Center Across from the ACME CALL FOR YOUR CONSULTATION TODAY (732) 356-6200 www.The-Eye-Center.com
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