Mental health has always been a passion for Linda Diane Murphy (age 66). But when she retired from the federal government after 33 years of service as a mental health counselor, Linda started experiencing increased anxiety. This anxiety led her to participate in a research study about veterans and mindfulness, and she hasn’t looked back since. 

Now, Linda is training to become a mindful meditation teacher and is helping other seniors embrace the benefits of mindfulness by moderating the Mindful Engagement group on Senior Planet Community.  

As a moderator of the Mindful Engagement SPC group, you often share what you call “mindfulness gems.” How do you pick the quotes you post?
I get my quotes from Goodreads or from books that I’ve read, from authors like Jon Kabat-Zinn, Thich Nhat Hanh, Brene Brown. I choose uplifting quotes to remind readers of their inner strength. 

I thought – let’s help people be strong, whatever that means for them. 

It’s a lovely way to spread positivity.
My goal is to maintain a positive mindset, especially in this day and age of negativity. I want to help people achieve mental and emotional balance and strength.

How do you practice mindfulness?
Mindfulness is an important part of my daily routine. It involves being aware of my surroundings, thoughts, feelings, and tasks. I use meditation as a tool to cultivate and enhance mindfulness. I meditate for 30 minutes twice a day, and each meditation session is unique because it’s a new day and a fresh start. This is what’s known as having a beginner’s mind. During meditation, it’s important not to judge yourself. If 5 minutes of meditation is all you can manage at the moment, that’s okay. Do what helps you show compassion to yourself and remain mindful of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.

I also practice mindful eating. How many of us really take the time to taste our food? Sometimes, I sit with no TV or music and eat my breakfast. I eat slowly and savor the meal. It’s almost like I’m tasting the food for the first time. 

I’m having very non-mindful flashbacks to the yoghurt I scarfed down before this interview.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Next time you start eating your yogurt and notice that you’re gobbling it down, at that moment—that’s awareness. That’s mindfulness. You catch yourself and then settle down and taste that delicious yogurt.  

What does aging with attitude mean to you?
For me, it’s knowing who I am and expressing that without reservation.  

YOUR TURN

Do you have a mindfulness routine?  Share your experience in the comments!

Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.