MINDFULNESS

[Barefoot]

I wonder about this word - does that mean only "awareness"?

[Mordant]

It's a close synonym of "awareness." To be mindful, you must deliberately pay attention to something and also act accordingly. That is not necessary to satisfy "awareness."

Parents should be mindful of the dangers of letting their children stay with babysitters they don't know.

The speaker of the following sentence cannot use "mindful."

I was aware of the dangers associated with letting my child stay with an unknown babysitter, but I didn't take it seriously. I did it anyway.