Mindful Circle

Many Happy Returns – A Fresh Perspective for Busy Minds 🎁 Mindful Moment #9: Many Happy Returns We often hear the phrase “many happy returns” as a birthday wish and a hope for joyful moments to keep coming back. But what if we applied it to our daily lives? In the rush of back-to-back meetings and constant demands, there’s another return worth celebrating: the return of our attention to the present moment. We’ve all been there: sitting in a meeting or tackling a task, only to realise our mind has wandered off. It’s completely natural. Minds drift. Mindfulness doesn’t aim to stop this. Instead, it encourages us to notice when our attention has wandered and gently return to the task at hand. Each return is a small but powerful reset, an opportunity to refresh our awareness, realign with our purpose, and refocus with intention. These micro-resets can sharpen our clarity and presence. In a world full of distractions, these moments of return are worth acknowledging and celebrating. So, as you move through your day, you might notice your mind drifting and simply invite it back. No self-criticism. No pressure. Just a kind return to now. Sometimes, the most productive step forward is to pause, reset, and begin again. What would a “happy return” look like for you today? 🌱 #MindfulMoments #MicroPractices #MindfulCircle #Mindfulness

A Mindful Pause at the MAELab 🌿 We had a wonderful Mindful Pause session this past weekend at the Mind Art Experiential Lab (MAELab), a part of NUS Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre. The unique venue, complete with an indoor Zen garden and a virtual forest walk, all within a cool, air-conditioned space, made for a truly refreshing experience. A warm thank you to Dr Mabel Yap for guiding us in practices to cultivate happiness, such as savouring and gratitude, and to Stanley for leading the mountain meditation and sitting practice. The sense of community and connection was heartwarming and supportive, and we deeply appreciate everyone who joined us. Special thanks to Maureen Rose Christabelle for her ever ready support and to all who made this gathering so meaningful. Here’s to continuing our mindfulness journey together!🌱💫 #MindfulCommunity #Reconnect #WellbeingJourney #MindfulCircle

Could leaning into your imperfections unlock some fresh insight? Mindful Moment #8: The Wisdom of Imperfection We often struggle with parts of ourselves, like a tendency to overthink or to be a perfectionist. But what if these traits have something valuable to teach us? How about we try this approach this week? • Gently reflecting: Picking a trait you might usually view as a weakness. How does it affect your life? What does it bring up for you? • Bringing some curiosity: Can you recall times when this trait has actually been helpful? Maybe your caution has saved you from a mistake, or your sensitivity has enriched your relationships. • Practising kindness: Next time you notice this trait, pause. Place a hand on your heart and gently acknowledge, "I see you. I'm listening." What might shift if we started seeing our "imperfections" as part of our whole, unique selves, without feeling the need to apologise? Would love to hear if anyone feels like trying this out or has thoughts to share! 🌿✨ #MindfulMoments #MicroPractices #MindfulCircle #Mindfulness

What if the most valuable moments in your day weren’t the big ones, but the spaces in between? Mindful Moments #7: The Gift of "In-Between" Moments Our days are often filled with one task after another, moving from meeting to meeting or call to call. It’s easy to rush through the spaces between, seeing them as empty or unimportant. But what if those in-between moments could offer a chance to catch your breath and reset? This week’s practice is simple: • Pausing for a moment before starting something new. • Noticing the space between finishing one thing and beginning the next. • Perhaps feeling your feet on the ground, listening to the sounds around you, or simply taking one slow, steady breath. These pauses don’t need to take long. Even a few seconds of presence in these natural pauses can help you feel more refreshed and grounded as you go about your day. Maybe give it a try. What might you notice in those “in-between” moments? 🌿✨ #MindfulMoments #MicroPractices #MindfulCircle #Mindfulness

If you had told us when we launched Mindful Circle in August this year that we would introduce mindfulness to over 100 seniors in November alone, we might not have believed it! Yet, thanks to Shan You's effort, support and belief in the benefits of Mindfulness for the well-being of seniors, this became a reality. At three Mindfulness Taster sessions held at Wisma Geylang Serai, more than 50 participants joined us at each session where our teachers, Stanley and Dr. Sng (Kaiying), enjoyed sharing simple and practical ways to bring mindfulness into daily life. In each session, the room was filled with curiosity and enthusiasm. A highlight was hearing an 84-year-old participant say at the end: “My heart is smiling!” It was a moment that made our hearts smile too. We are deeply grateful to Shan You and the Kampong Eunos Network for making this possible. We look forward to building more connections, momentum, and mindfulness in our community. Here’s to a mindful journey ahead! 🌟 #Mindfulness #MindfulCommunity #IntroducingMindfulness #MindfulCircle

What’s supporting your success today? Mindful Moment #6: Small Acts of Recognition When was the last time you paused to acknowledge the systems, routines, or people that quietly sustain your success? Despite the busyness of our days, it’s often these unseen or underappreciated elements that create the foundation for everything we do. Perhaps it’s a colleague who always follows through, a process that simplifies your workload, or a personal habit that helps you stay grounded. These are the small, steady supports in our lives that deserve not just recognition but also gratitude. This week, maybe we can take a moment to reflect: • What’s going well in your life or work? • Who or what is helping things flow more smoothly? As you reflect, perhaps pause to notice any sense of steadiness, ease, or appreciation that arises in your body. Linger with those feelings if they’re present, allowing them to be a quiet source of energy and nourishment. What’s one thing you can honour and celebrate today? 🌼 #MindfulMoments, #Mindfulness, #MindfulCircle

Curious about how mindfulness could enrich your life? We're happy to share a video of past participants as they reflect on their experiences and the positive shifts they’ve noticed. Their stories remind us of its potential to support us in everyday moments and through life’s bigger transitions. At Mindful Circle, we believe mindfulness should be accessible to everyone, which is why this course is offered on a pay-as-you-like basis. Together, we’re creating a community that grows and gives back. We'd love to see you in one of our upcoming courses: mindfulcircle.org/next Oliver Foo, Eileen Aung-Thwin, Sean Christopher Tan, Jane Lim, Mudit Goenka, CFA, John Hills, Kian Koon Khoo, Tulasi, Haridass, Yasmeen, Ming Hui Cheng, Dr. Sng Khai Imm (Kaiying), Stanley Ng

What if your feet hold the key to feeling grounded today? Mindful Moment #5: Grounding with Curiosity Life pulls us in countless directions, but sometimes, a brief pause can restore a quiet clarity. This week, let’s try a simple grounding practice to gently reconnect with your body and the moment. • Starting with your feet, noticing the sensations they’re offering. Explore these sensations as if you’re discovering them for the first time. • Turning your attention to where your body is meeting support. How is the chair, the floor, or the ground holding you? Allowing your attention to rest here for a moment. • Bringing awareness to the hands. Are they heavy or light? Cool or warm? Perhaps there’s a gentle pulse. What are you discovering? • Then, tuning in to the breath. Feeling its natural rhythm, the rise and fall, as it flows in and out. Noticing any sense of ease or steadiness in its movement. • Choosing whichever anchor feels most grounding at the moment, and allowing yourself to linger there for as long as you wish. Why not give it a try today? A moment is all it takes. 🌿✨ #MindfulMoments #Mindfulness #MindfulCircle

What if a quiet gesture could shift your day... and maybe even someone else’s? Mindful Moment #4: Silent Connection Despite how divided the world can seem, a single gesture can sometimes remind us of the connection we all share. This week, maybe we can try a simple practice to reconnect. Next time you're in a group, whether during a meeting, in the lift, or commuting, perhaps pause to quietly notice someone nearby. Silently offer them a well-wish or kind thought as a gesture of goodwill towards them. As you do this, notice any emotions or sensations that arise as you gently incline your mind towards warmth and friendliness. While this private gesture may not change the world, it could bring a small shift, fostering a sense of connection and kindness around you. Maybe give this a try and see if you notice any subtle changes in your mood or surroundings. How did it feel? 🌿✨ #MindfulMoments #SilentConnection #MicroPractice, #MindfulCircle

Have you ever truly tasted your tea? ☕✨ In our latest Introducing Mindfulness cohort, participants embarked on a journey into mindful living over three sessions. They explored how to understand the mind’s tendencies, create space between reaction and response, and cultivate a more present and appreciative approach to daily life. One memorable moment came when a participant shared her experience of brewing Chai at home with her full attention. For our final session, she brought some in, and Stanley took the opportunity to lead a spontaneous mindful drinking practice. We were invited to experience each moment - really connecting with the sight, taste, scent, warmth, and even the sound of each sip (photo below). We’re delighted to see some participants already planning to join us again in January for the 8-week Mindfulness for Life course, where they’ll dive deeper into practices that foster resilience, connection, and compassion. At Mindful Circle, our mission is to make mindfulness accessible to all. With our pay-as-you-like model, we’re building a community that grows by giving back. Join us on this journey! ✨ #Mindfulness #MindfulCommunity #IntroducingMindfulness #MindfulCircle