Do you ever feel like your days seem to repeat themselves? You wake up, brush your teeth, get the kids off to school, work, come home, make dinner, read a little, put the kids to bed, go to sleep, and then wash/rinse repeat the next day. There was a time in my life where this was always the case and even today I can fall into the same habit of idling away through my days. I forget that each day is a gift full of many moments where I have the option to be truly present to those gifts. When I become present to the little nuances in my day, my whole perspective shifts. Suddenly, the birds outside are singing a beautiful hymn, the grass outside has an emerald green hue with dew drops glimmering in the sun, my lovers smile is the most magnificent thing I have ever seen, and when I lay my head down at night I am so incredibly comforted by the gratitude I feel to have a roof over my head and these fluffy blankets to nestle up in. That is the world in which I prefer to live in. One which is a painted canvas of beckoning truth.
How might we make this presence more accessible through out our work week? Here are 5 ways to tune into the beauty of each moment and to find that child like magic again.
1. Set the alarm 15 minutes before you actually have to get up and put on a soothing guided meditation, find you favorite on youtube by googling, “Guided meditation,”. This well set the tone for your whole day. You will find that it is easier to be present once you have taken the time to tune into the Universal flows and no better time to do that than in the beginning of your day.
2. Stop watching the time. Seem counter-productive for presence? Hear me out. We all know what time it is, it is loud and clear every time we check out phones, get on our lap tops, i-pads, cook in the stove or microwave, get in our cars, every where we go, there it is… time. Time is simply a way to sync up with the world, to meet, to plan and schedule. I find that it is easier for me to unwind while at home, after I have taken care of everything I need to take care of in my day, to simply turn off the electronics and to flip over any alarm clocks that might be glaring in my face. Don’t worry, with the alarms you have set yourself for the next commitment, you will be more than ok if you don’t watch the clock every minute of the day. Since I started doing this I experience the time-less through out my day. I stop thinking in segments of day and rather experience the light as it comes and goes with no expectations on how long it will last, everything sort of slows down.
3. Go for a walk outside, better yet, skip. Do something you haven’t done in awhile, jump rope, sit down in the grass and pick clovers, make a pile of sticks, try handstands in the yard. Tuning into your youthful spirit will make you feel exquisite. When I do this, I am reminded of how everything felt new to me as a child. Over time we become so bogged down with schedules, desires, expectations that we forget this incredible innocence that once existed within us, and guess what!? It still does!
4. Laugh for no reason. Laughing meditations start with one laughing for no reason, over time the laughing is contagious and before you know it you are no longer laughing for no reason but you are laughing because you are filled with joy. Be courageous and ask your friends to join a laughing meditation hour with you.
5. Get creative! When is the last time you worked on a creative project? Better yet, when is the last time you finger painted? Get messy, have fun, go get some canvases and acrylic paints. I was recently at a friend’s birthday get together where she bought a huge canvas and gathered different art supplies then asked all 60 some of her guest to create a collage that she could hang in her condo. It was amazing to see all of these different people, all ages, different cultures, come together and make a piece of art. Whether you have an art party or turn on some music and create your heart out solo, your Spirit will thank you the whole way through!
Thich Nhat Hanh: “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”
Love always,
Alana Roach
RYT, CYT, Reiki, Wellness Support, Freelance Writer
www.alanaroachyoga.com
Alana’s love for yoga came from firsthand experience with just how powerful the practice is. “In 2009, Yoga found me. Inside the studio, she experienced a deep sense of belonging, but the most profound part was what happened after. “I felt as though I was at true peace. I finally knew what the word meant. Until that moment, I had just understood it cerebrally. There is something profound to be said about Peace dropping into the heart.”
This is really great Alana, I love your tips and your blog is very inspirational, thank you 🙂