Thoughts are tendencies. They are not inert, but have real consequences. Each thought is affected by the trajectory of the one before, so the stream can build real momentum. This process cannot be stopped, but mindfulness makes us aware it is happening. It can help us see the direction of our thoughts, slow down their maddening pace, and shift them in a positive direction.

Try this meditation for one minute today, or longer if you wish:

TAKE A MOMENT to pay attention to your own stream of thought — the feelings, images, words. What do you notice?

Just as the Twig is bent, the Tree’s inclined. —Alexander Pope

How did this meditation go for you? Share your experience with your fellow North Shore Bank employees at shorelines@northshorebank.com and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Mindfulness in Plain English, by Bhante Gunaratana.

If you’d like a daily email reminder to practice one minute of mindfulness, email us with the subject “Mindfulness reminder.”