Mindful in May Ambassador Jacqueline Alwill

What led you to meditation?

I was becoming increasingly busy with work and struggling to find a way to focus clearly on one project at a time. I would jump between ideas and tasks constantly trying to get more done, when in reality there was less achieved. My meditation teacher, Jacqui Lewis (The Broad Place), helped guide me back to meditation. It has been an incredible journey and I am all the better for it.

What value has practising meditation brought to your life?

A better focus on self referral, rather than letting situational or environmental factors influence me so much that I feel displaced. I’m much calmer at approaching things in life, knowing the outcome is controlled only by my response and I can create positivity in every situation.

How has meditation supported you in your professional life?

I’ve gained much greater clarity and focus, which has been insanely good for stress and productivity. In the process of learning self versus outward referral I can better identify it happening in others and am more understanding and better equipped to manage it. Being in the health industry means we are helping people everyday on their journey; and these practices are all part of it too.

What are the biggest obstacles to your practice?

Now don’t take this the wrong way, because he’s an absolute blessing and always will be but my 5 year old boy, Jet, is probably the one little hiccup in my practice. Only because sometimes in the morning he likes to wake up randomly and I might be mid practice, and once he is awake he demands immediate cuddles (no complaints there!). He’s definitely become more understanding as he grows older though and at some stage soon I will have him learn meditation also.

What is a quote that most inspires you and why?

Life is not about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself. I love it because it is a constant reminder to be open on your journey in creation.

What is a book that has opened you to new ideas and inspired your growth, why?

It’s a nutrition book titled “Healing the New Childhood Epidemics”, on how to work with children with asthma, allergies, ADHD and autism. I love learning what and how I can work better with children in nutrition and health, they are our future and the more we learn from each other now the better chance we have to sculpt a society who is empowered by and knowledgeable in health.

What is one lesson that you have learned through mindfulness practice that has supported you in your life?

It’s ok to stop and breathe. I think it’s easy to get so caught up in the busy-ness of life that we forget or think that perhaps we are too busy to stop. Once we make more time to stop and step back we are better able to approach life with a more balanced approach. We become more mindful of our footsteps in this life.

Why are you being Mindful in May?

I think it’s great to practice Mindfulness everyday, however during May, mindfulness will have even greater value because it will be our chance to work together as a community to create a more mindful approach to life and to raise awareness for Charity Water. They are simple concepts which we can all better from. I hope to see the message of mindfulness, meditation and clean water spread as far as possible.