As the days start to shorten and the nights draw in it is easy to bemoan the loss of summer and begin to dread the onset of the colder days. Preparations for Christmas take over all too soon and we can easily miss the simple pleasures to be had under our noses; Nature is ablaze with colour – pause on the moors to notice the deep purple hue of the heather and the misty smokiness of the sky.
Savour the crisp freshness of the chilly air and take a bit more time this year to bask in the warm glow of the bonfire flames and the sound of happy voices and the taste of delicious seasonal food.
Sounds simple and idyllic doesn’t it but being present in the moment is one of the most elusive things to achieve in our frantic modern world.
The following three suggestions are a good place to start. Good luck!
1. Find Stillness in Movement
Take a leisurely walk in nature, get quiet, and notice the beauty around you. Feel the sensations of each step, the softness of the lining of your boots, the crunch of the leaves under foot.
2. Listen More, Talk Less
Mindfulness comes not only from our attitude and actions but also from our interactions with loved ones, especially those in need of healing.
Practice holding space: give your whole attention and listen to what a loved one needs to say without judging. Rather than offering advice, just be a comforting presence, and allow truth to unfold naturally!
3. Slow Down
Instead of rushing through the day on auto-pilot, turn your daily activities into meditative rituals. Enjoy the little things that you do, from drinking your morning tea (or coffee) and cooking your favourite breakfast to dressing up for the day.
Take pleasure in every bite of your meals. Even mundane chores like driving in traffic, ironing, and cleaning up can be an exercise in mindfulness.
Focus your whole attention on the task, notice the small details, and observe your thoughts and feelings. The busier you are, the more you need to slow down to cultivate awareness.
Above all look and take notice each day of the wonders around you.
A friend of mine sent me this video which I think says it all…