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18 Hudson Valley Parent n March 2017 By KATHY WALSH W hen the practice of mind- fulness is brought up - especially within the home with family - many people get the wrong idea. It's believed that in order to do so, one needs to give salutations to the sun each morning, line the walls of their home with quotes about peace and harmony, and wear a smile at all times. This is not true. It's not practical either. Having a "mindful home" doesn't require doing yoga, posting Pinter- estquotes, or mandatory meditation. You can live a mindful life without doing any of those things. But two elements you will need are commitment and consistency. Everyday mindfulness No new habit, good or bad, forms overnight -- including mindfulness. It's often said that it takes 21 days for a new habit to take hold. If you want to stop biting your nails or to get in the habit of running every morning, it's believed you need to do so consistently for three weeks in order for it to truly become part of your daily routine. The same concept applies to having a "mindful home." Start with small goals each day for 21 days and work your way up to integrating them into your everyday life. Use these examples to get started: • Complimenting your spouse • Giving your kids an encourag- ing sticky note in their backpack or lunchbox • Doing something nice for a neighbor, without being asked • Reflecting on what was positive about your day • Giving back to your community in a small way • Thinking about why you love your kids and spouse so much Write it down You are probably thinking, "Be- tween my job, my kids, my daily responsibilities - how am I supposed to remember to practice mindfulness each day?" That's a good question! Mindful- ness may not come easily to some, (Continued on Page 20) The Practical Guide to a Mindful Home