Mindful and Intentional Living

Book excerpt: First, we stop the pain, then we grow the joy. Mindful and Intentional Living offers a fresh, intimate, and scientifically supported perspective on using mindfulness, compassion, and conscious intention to align our heart, mind, and body with our deepest values and intentions, creating a meaningful life we love. From stress and anxiety to inner peace, from chaos and scattered thinking to grounded personal clarity and direction, and from being caught in emotional reactivity to freedom to choose our responses, Saccato guides us with great care to stop the pain and grow the joy. Drawing on the foundations of mindfulness and Saccatos mindfulness-based coaching programs and courses, the reader is lovingly shepherded on a path through lifes inevitable difficulties to a clear, meaningful vision, intention, and commitment. This book is a road map designed to help the reader reduce stress and stress-related illnesses; reduce anxiety and depressive episodes; grow compassionate and loving relationships; gain personal clarity of chosen beliefs and values; build a steady and inclusive mindfulness practice; heal pains of the past with self-love and active forgiveness; explore the science behind the success of mindfulness, compassion, and happiness practices; and take actionable steps to define, commit to, and affirm a path to more inspired joy and happiness.