Savoring Simple daily pleasures
Listening to the cues and observing the little signs and gentle nudges of encouragement seem to come more readily and easily when we step out of the hustle of our regular daily lives.
We have just returned from a few magical days away (I almost wrote escape but I don't wish to escape my home and daily life here as I genuinely love my life, my home, and my pets and feel so grateful for it all)
As a family we all noticed and discussed at various intervals how refreshing it was to wake up and feel the day deliciously expand before you, and how all the tasks- however menial- that would build at home creating a feeling of pressure and obligation, were so much more inconsequential at the beach. It wasn't that they didn't happen- we still prepared food, did the dishes, I did laundry and general light housework, but nothing felt like an effort or a chore. It helped considerable that we were fortunate with the weather and experienced a wonderful warm summery few days, and that our clocks have recently changed making the evenings seem so much longer and more relaxed.
After dinner every evening we'd wander down to the wharf to watch the sun set, some would ride bikes, some slowly amble, but dishes could wait, to do lists weren't written, and there was no nagging feeling of...."I ought to....."
The bird species down there are not really any different from here at home- other than some of the coastal birds, but I felt on several occasions my little feathered friends were trying to give me a message.
One of my favorite birds is the common Thrush; this speckle breasted confident little fellow kept a beady eye on my while poking holes in the lawn as I sat on the porch observing. He patiently waiting for the shadows to grow longer during the day in order to feast. He was so close, yes not shy one bit. (Masterfully difficulty to capture in a photograph sadly!)
His companion the Tui sang it song even more beautifully than they seem to sound at home, the clarity and purity of the call utterly transfixing. Willing me to stay, take a moment to listen. why rush off? What's so important?
On our last morning I went for a run, my loop took me up along the dunes for a little way, where a very confident and very vocal tiny little fan tail made friends. I'd paused to soak in the mornings rays and watch the dog walers and their happy pooches on the beach just below when I notices him flitting and chirruping out of the corner of my eye- I smiled and observed him- hardly daring to move as he was SO close...I finally reached for my phone to try to get a picture or even a little video of the energetic little chap (Or Chapess) and he stayed close as I did, not flitting away, just turning this way and that, fanning out his tail as his name suggests- beady black eyes never leaving my face. I slowly began to walk along ready to re start my run, and he flittered along with me- right at my heels - occasionally rising up a meter or two then back to the sandy grass. He must have kept me company for a good 2-300M - so close I could have almost reached out to touch him. I imagined doing so - running a gentle finger delicately over the tiny soft feathers of his perfect miniscule head. Eventually, he carried on his way as I did mine- having got a grainy, poorly lit snippet of video of him.
It was such a poignant moment- although essentially such a common scene. But I really felt I was being encouraged to remain present, savour these little moments.
This little exchange of something so ordinary on the surface, so everyday to a passerby- a common garden bird, Thrush or fantail, Black bird or little Sparrow, an interaction that would go largely unnoticed, became special and treasure to me. A result, perhaps, I like to think of my gratitude and appreciation of the little things, the mundane even, put me in a space and mind frame where I was open to receive. Allowing opportunities and lessons to present themselves.
Its so, so easy to return to our normal lives and allow ourselves to get caught up again in the hustle, lists and jobs and errands and schedules. And while these are in the most part unavoidable, we can be mindful to not let them rule and dictate too much, to pause to savour those little magical moments. Its too easy to race though a day and collapse exhausted at 9pm with a cup of peppermint tea, having ticked everything off the list but exhausted and possibly not done single thing to bring your pure simple joy.
Ways I like to very gently stay present at appreciate a little moment, are things such as:
* Stepping outside, however briefly, with my coffee to take a deep inhale of its aroma and savour the first hot, strong, sip.
* Pausing to take in the scent of a bloom as I pass- the scent of all the citrus blossom at the beach was intoxicating.
* Running my hand over the smooth, still warm pile of clean, folded laundry
* Deeply smelling the punnet of strawberries before I rinse and prepare them
* Climbing into my cool, freshly made bed after a hot bath
*Closing the cover of the book I've just finished reading and taking a moment to let the ending sit with me. Allowing the satisfaction settle.
* Giving my cats love and cuddles first thing then standing a little way away watching them tuck into their breakfast with gusto.
* Watching the native birds go about their days
* The lazy buzz of a pollen laden bee
* Stopping what I'm currently engaged in and taking a moment to welcome a family member home after their day with a greeting and a hug or kiss
* Reminding myself that so much of the daily things we fret and become anxious about are really unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Take a few long deep breaths and pause.
* Feeling the pillowy roundedness of the ball of pizza dough you set out to prove this morning
* Taking a moment to a chat and share a greeting with an elderly neighbor
* Gardening is an amazing way to keep present, as its every changing so you have to consciously observe and be involved in each stage- seed, to seedling, to young plant to harvest.
Weather is another element I like to take my Cues from- and while I never shy away from a rainy wet walk, each weatherly temperament encourages you to follow a different path- and mood, and pace. A bush trail in the baking summer heat with the heady scent of the pines feels very different in a rain storm with each needle ready to release its crystal jewel, and the leaf litter squishing under your feet.
I took one of my favorite walks at the beach this past week on two separate days, and marveled at how different it smelled in early spring, with strong wind buffeting me along and the branches cracking and creaking and wildly swaying overhead. the second time I enjoyed the company of my daughter, barely a breath of wind by comparison, and a sea bird perched on a bridge watching us intently as we passed.
So, while this weekend approaches, and on the other side of it Term 4 begins in all is crazy, busy, glittery, Christmassy, glory- I am doing my best to remain present, harness the mindfulness and ease of the beach, do something every day which brings me joy- however simple, and keep a balanced, calm head on my shoulders.
Try not to focus your precious energy on things that don't hold significant importance in your life.
Those little birds, I'm convinced, were trying to teach me something. Encouraging me and cheering me on.
Home now, and while I have been fairly productive today, the To Do list I ambitiously drew up at the very start of the holidays remains largely un ticked pinned to the fridge, but do you know what? Thats ok. None of those chores or jobs are life changing, none are vital, and most would have gone un noticed any way. But I have managed to read a few books, write lots, am energized and inspired for my writing and my blog with ideas developing faster than I can note them down, I've taken SOOOO many photographs, enjoyed beautiful walks, started running in earnest; And as the Rain started to fall as we packed the last few items into the car ready to leave the beach yesterday, I felt deeply satisfied, totally calmed, and utterly at peace.
It was the magic of the beach, the slow rhythmic crashing of the waves, and the inevitable rising and setting of the sun in such a big sky that re set my personal speed, fine-tuned my compass, and firmly showed me the way to stay on my course, of my life's journey. And to feel excited for all that's to come!
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