for the past couple of weeks i’ve been exploring AWARENESS, the first essential element of THE ARRIVAL (my personal philosophy and the theme of my retreats).
curiosity. observation. possibility. patterns.
this week i’d like to share the third step with you » possibility.
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a heightened awareness is crucial in order to learn, in order to be challenged. if we make a conscious choice to pay attention and to heed emerging lessons, we not only enrich our lives but can usually transform them as well.
i’m definitely guilty of closing my eyes and missing important messages at times, even when they’ve been carefully laid out in my path. sometimes entire days escape me, when i move forward with my daily intentions as if in a fog, my mind closed to new ideas and new perceptions.
how about you? does any of this sound familiar to you? how can we safeguard against this shadow?
have you heard the phrase in his (or her) element? i’ve used it to describe a karelian bear dog I once had, who was never happier than when he was shepherding and escorting moose and bears off of our property in alaska.
this phrase also comes to mind when i think of a certain family member who has always been happiest when outdoors. even at an early age, he marveled with delight at the natural world around him and became an accomplished landscape photographer. he’s always been in his element when surrounded by nature — viewing each scene with an awed sense of wonder, grateful to witness its incredible beauty, epitomizing awareness.
how can you sharpen your consciousness to this level, open yourself up to this deeper meaning?
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today’s invitation . . . take a look at your passport-to-awareness journal that was suggested last week. when you were observing the world around you and recording your experiences, did any one thing stand out for you? does it make you light up when you think about it now? start with that one item. think about what makes it special for you. figure out how you can do or see more of it. expand on it in creative directions you hadn’t thought about before. begin incorporating more and more of it into the daily threads of your life. and be ready and willing to listen to the answers that are already there, waiting, as you become more attuned to your surroundings and your thoughts. cradle each possibility.
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activity #1-3: 5 in 5
amidst the busyness of life, do you enjoy what you experience?
live in the moment. be present.
we’ve all heard these phrases, but we rarely – if ever – take the time to put them into practice. today try to fully appreciate just five minutes of something, while incorporating all five of your senses.
instead of thinking about the next task on your list that needs to be done, marvel in the wonder of what’s in front of you at this instant.
are you sleepwalking through your morning meal? be aware of the physical motions as your hand guides the egg whip. listen to the reassuring beat against the side of the bowl. be fascinated with the way the ingredients blend together to create the finished product. take in the aromas that swirl through the air, and relish the first morsel on your tongue. fully engage while you eat what you’ve lovingly prepared. notice tastes and textures with each flavorful bite. eat slowly, and savor the experience. be cognizant of the moment you feel satisfyingly full, and put your fork down.
begin to concentrate less on how overwhelming your day may be, and start acknowledging its surprisingly unique and individual components.
what might you notice when you drive to work or go on an errand run? perhaps the savory taste of the air and the fragrance of the season as you unlock your car, the feel of the powerful machine in your hands, the scenery that usually goes unnoticed, the harmony of the hustle and bustle unfolding around you. maybe you could discover something uniquely interesting by traveling a new route today, actively seeing out the unfamiliar.
delight in the new discoveries of familiar daily scenes. give your story full attention and it will reveal clues to the previously unknown, and also cues to never stop learning and reaching and growing.
five senses in five minutes.
by putting more effort into living your life in this way, you can begin to shift your reactions, your responses, your attitudes. you will gain a new sense of being in charge, of having purpose and meaning.
animate your existence. 5 in 5.
this is a very good and timely reminder, April. and Nicholas’ photo is beautiful - his passion for photography shimmers off the page. 💗constance