Mindfulness has become synonymous with Meditation,

insight, the discipline of sustained awareness. It is your capacity to extend non-judgmental attention to the world around you, as well as internally, to your various responses to it.

Given the distractions we encounter every day, the discipline of mindfulness, with or without formally sitting quietly in meditation, would seem a worthwhile skill to develop. But is it enough? Or is it just a skillful way to keep distractions at bay?

Mindfulness alone is not enough!

Let me ask you …

What if you were able to never repeat the same mistake twice?

I’m talking about several kinds of mistakes:

• Mistaken perceptions that lead to self-defeating emotions; resentment, fear, self-judgment, judgment of others, anger, stubbornness, pride.
• Mistakes in communication, failure to communicate with others, and the myriad ensuing misunderstandings.
• Mistakes of omission, mistakes of impatience or pride, and the unskillful actions that follow.

We can certainly learn from our mistakes. But what if we have already learned the lessons, but keep on making the same mistakes? What would it take to change the things that have had us keep on making those same mistakes long after we have learned that they don’t serve us?

Mindfulness is not enough. It’s a great start, and it complements just about anything you do, from having a conversation, starting a business, to playing sports.

But any skill can be used wisely or badly. You may have heard the saying that for a person with a hammer every problem is a nail. Sometimes a hammer can do a lot of damage; sometimes it just weighs you down,  carrying it around all the time.

What other skills can complement Mindfulness? Here’s a few.

Mindset

Attitude and the ability to change old self-limiting beliefs about what may or may not be possible for you to accomplish.

Energy

Energy is supported by good health, and good health is supported by your being in agreement with yourself. Enthusiasm, loving what you do, doing what you love.

Flexibility

Adaptability, the willingness to experiment with new strategies. Curiosity.

Gratitude

Hey! whatever’s going on your life is miraculous! Your eyes, ears, mind, body, friends; all of it miraculous.

Trust

Faith in the unfolding process of your life, intertwined with mind and intention in inexplicable ways. Your generosity as it emerges from that realization.

The list goes on.

Mindfulness is a good starting point, but mindfulness alone is not enough.