Just a small realisation

[JonW]

That's very well put, Deb.
In my experience, mindfulness folds itself into one's life so that acting mindfully gradually becomes second nature. In other words, any moment or situation is met with mindfulness. I like the analogy of the children's game rock-scissors-paper. Mindfulness is like a game of rock-scissors-paper where you always win. Or, at least, the invitation is always there to meet every moment mindfully. I can't think of any situation where mindfulness wouldn't be helpful or useful to me.
Just recently, I found myself in the middle of a very scary situation. I presently live in a shared house. One of my fellow house residents went on a drink/drug-fuelled rampage in the middle of the night. For close to two hours, he stood outside my bedroom door, kicking at the door, threatening to kill me. I got through that by being mindful - observing body sensations including my fast-beating heart, my breathing etc. Despite the very real threat, I remained fairly calm. Mindfulness allowed me the space in which I was able to allow fear to arise and pass.
It was a good reminder that every moment, even the most uncomfortable one, is an invitation to be present.
Cheers,
Jon

[Gareth]

I bet things were calmer in the tent.

[JonW]

Ha! Yes, they were a lot calmer, although the rats in the woods were chewing holes in my tent, which was another test of my mindful resolve.