(7) Right Mindfulness
Number 7, Right Mindfulness, is one of the most overarching principles of Buddhism. The interpretations are many, after all, it has been around for over 2,000 years. But my interpretation, the one that has helped the most in my life, is this;
Remember that you are human. You are imperfect, and that's OK. It's OK to have bad days.
Religion for Dummies calls this "Having a clear sense of one's mental state and bodily health and feelings."
I am one of those people who fight with anxiety, and this was not the easiest lesson to learn. But incorporating it into my life and repeating it to myself over and over have really helped me deal with those times when I'm not in top shape mentally. Right Mindfulness means being aware of, and caring about, your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It also teaches you to treat these things.
One of the easiest ways to practice this step is to accept your bad days. Everyone has a bad day once in a while. For me they come at random, destroy my motivation, energy, and positivity. I used to beat myself up about having these days, I would guilt myself and mentally tell myself that I wasn't doing enough, that I was failing. With my continuing practice of this step, I now accept and embrace my bad days. Just a small step like that has made a difference in my life, I get over those days quicker, and they are less intense.
References
Smith, Huston. The World's Religions. HarperOne, 1958.
Religion for Dummies, Religion, Buddhism.