This post is part of our 'Bean to Bean' series, where we share personal musings and thoughtful reflections from the heart of our bean-filled journey!
Mindfulness.
For as long as I can remember, mindfulness has been an profound yet elusive term that has been floating around – from the endless scrolls of social media to late night conversations with friends. It often felt more like a trendy buzzword than something I really put my mind towards—did you catch the joke there?
It wasn't until recent years that the true importance of mindfulness began to set in for me. In an era increasingly cluttered with distractions and temptations, gaining insight into our mental landscapes has become crucial. Despite having been fortunate enough to navigate life without significant mental health challenges, the mounting pressures of adulthood have made me respect the importance of nurturing one’s mental well-being. People that I care deeply about have and continue to struggle with mental health challenges, and witnessing these hardships faced by loved ones has motivated me to advocate for mental wellness.
The notion that one can master their own happiness is an oversimplification, I acknowledge that many aspects of life remain beyond our control. However, I've come to realize that one of the most valuable gifts we can offer for those in need is not the fish itself but the ability to fish. At the end of the day, we come into this world alone, and we leave this world alone. Friends, family, and partnerships can provide support and community, but one must eventually build resilience from within, rather than rely on a foundation that is dependent on others.
I firmly believe that knowledge empowers. Equipping children with the means to govern their thoughts and emotions lays a foundation that children can build upon and cultivate throughout their lives. General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), one of most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders, tends to onset in the early twenties to mid-thirties. Although we have made significant advancements in mental health awareness, the availability of effective treatments still lags behind. The need for preemptive measures is clear—it's significantly more challenging to mitigate symptoms after their onset, though not impossible.
It is worth noting that one doesn’t have to be anxious or burnt out to try mindfulness. It is a practice that can enrich everyday life. Think of mindfulness as a muscle that benefits from regular exercise. It goes beyond merely emptying your mind; it's about understanding that your thoughts do not define you, and there's no need to attach your identity to them.
Our book, The Light of Love, serves as a prime example of this approach in action. It provides young readers with strategies to embrace mindfulness through visualization. The story invites children to think about and feel the love they have for a person, visualizing this love expanding from within them to encompass the entire world. Accompanied by beautiful images, The Light of Love helps young readers grasp the concept of mindfulness in a relatable and enriching way.
In cultivating mindfulness from a young age, we can foster a lifelong toolkit for emotional resilience. Our journey at Human Bean Books is one of continuous learning and exploration, driven by our commitment to empower the next generation. I have faith that our array of books can better equip children to face the challenges of their world with grace and strength.
From one bean to another, Jade