Savoring Simple Everyday Pleasures
It was during a recent walk - I loop I frequent regularly around the local neighborhood and down the to beach- an unexpected clarity descended on me, bringing with it a sense of peace and belonging.
I had chosen to walk without listening to a podcast or audio book this particular day, and happily tuned into the quiet sounds of nature and the distant buzz of my communities everyday life around me. A distant hummm of a lawnmower, a far off tapping of a hammer, a plethora of bird song and the odd purr of a passing car.
I was filled with a sense of over whelming gratitude and a calm balance and focus. A truly appreciative acceptance of my place in this world - both in the physical space I occupy and the present moment. This came in such a rush of emotion and took me by such a surprise - in my tracks almost - as the tranquility and stillness of the moment settled upon me and I felt I could breathe deeply.
I experienced this on a morning barely 24 hours after my "little girl" had flown to the other side of the world- alone, and I was not only sleep deprived having tracked her flight throughout the night but, naturally an anxious mama. It was almost as if everything came into focus and a weight physically lifted from my shoulders. I could feel beneath my feet my place on this globe and the sensation of all being well washed over me in a welcome wave.
It is so vital we give ourselves the opportunities to pause and reflect. To allow our minds the space to process and think deeply, letting thoughts swirl and penetrate and at the same time allowing others to pass through and be discarded or dealt with or acknowledged.
Its easy for us to fall into the busy trap of flitting from one task to the next, hopping between to-do lists, and I am guilty of this at times too, but we do need to remind ourselves to pause. To take stock, practice gratitude and to be still.
This circles back to mother nature again and being conscious of being present, noticing the little things. I promise, once you allow yourself to pause, these things come into focus without having to try too hard. It becomes a habit, naturally, and a sense of space and peace you look forward to.
Lack of sleep can pay havoc with our minds, and while I am an advocate for a good long restorative 8 hours, we all experience nights when sleep doesn't come for whatever reason. Be gentle with yourself. Listen to your body. And listening to your body, not your mind, is crucial on these days- If I've had a disturbed night, I crave coffee, sugar and carbs and have a seemingly insatiable appetite. But if you try super hard to tune out that voice, what you actually need is to be gently nurtured, not jarred with caffeine and sugar and spiking and crashing insulin levels! If you can resist and help your poor tired self with plenty of fluids, minimal caffeine, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and protein, plus some time outdoors, you will undoubtedly feel better and recover quicker. Plus, setting you up and equipping you for a better nights rest the next night.
To clarify, solitude isn't loneliness. Solitude is, in my opinion, a necessary piece of the patchwork of life. Allowing ourselves the time is not a luxury and it is certainly not a punishment. Its like ongoing maintenance and heeling. Being alone doesn't have to feel bereft of company- and shouldn't- and it doesn't need to be for lengthy periods of time. I find my daily walks and a peppering of being "home alone" to potter while the rest of the household is out doing whatever throughout the week, is enough for me to have a little head space, time to think, process, write and just absorb the peace. It recharges me enough and brings me back to the present and a place of gratitude to continue my role of busy working mum, while still loving my life and keeping any overwhelm in check.
Start small if this is new to you, pop the kettle on for a pot of tea and light a candle, sit and savor your cup of tea in peace and quiet rather than rushing and slurping while multitasking. The magic will happen if you give it just the tiniest space to flourish.
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