For a minute we would simply listen and remember everything that we heard. We would then take turns telling our class mates what our ears had picked up on. It was a mindful exercise I learned when I was only six utilizing only one of my senses. I still use it today, but I've expanded it to include all of them. Here's my senses experience from today.
Senses on Saturday Episode 1
A peacock calling and the songbirds all going along with their business as if I weren’t even there. Beautiful calls. Calling each other from one tree and answering from another. A union in separation but still connected.
The sound of a pigeon flying over and the air moving through and below it’s wings, a whirring noise as if it wasn’t quite supposed to fly. The distant sounds from the dance school, a song I know. “This is heaven. I’m in heaven” and emotions welled up in me from my childhood - watching my parents taking dance classes in the town centre. How I long for those early days when life was chaotic but easier.
I focused on the air around me, I let it sink into my skin. It wasn’t warm or cool, it was the type of day you would typically experience in autumn, where you aren’t entirely comfortable with a jacket on but it’s a bit too crisp to simply wear a single layer. A patch of sun moving over my legs. The rays penetrated my trousers and felt ravishing. I revelled in it.
Something peaked my nose’s interests. Hmmm. That smells good. Chicken being barbequed with corn. I realised how hungry that made me and I sat in that feeling. The longing for something delicious, I could almost taste it. My mouth watered as I delighted in someone else’s meal.
Then a breeze wafted through, taking it away from me, I let it go and continued to bask in the surroundings playing with my senses.
I absent mindedly rubbed my thumbs and forefingers together. My skin felt dry and callused. Too little TLC, something to rectify. I made a mental note, then let my consciousness develop in all of my body – body scanning they call it. I outstretched my legs and realised my right ankle felt warm and tight. I stretched it and rolled it round. I could feel my muscles tense and relax. The body is an amazing vessel. I then rolled my neck and could hear little cracks where it had knots needing release. I relaxed my shoulders and could feel them drop slightly. I’ve been tensed up. Sometimes we don’t notice until we do something like this.
I lay down fully and put my arms behind my head. I opened my eyes and was breathless at the sight of a verdant blue sky with light cloud moving across. Not puffy clouds, they looked more like rips in the curtain of blue. Moving. It felt as if I were moving as I watched them. The highlights looking brighter with each minute that the low hanging sun baked down on them. The green trees all around me looking vibrant and happy... and in that moment, that's exactly how I felt too.
I agree! People tend to let life overrun them. I get so very busy with life and have to take a breather, to recenter myself. Sometimes it is hard to make those moments, especially if you have three or four in the household, spinning around your space. :) I actually find that it is more important to find that time.
I find it interesting that there was a teacher out there that was so in tune, teaching a life skill most never do. Mindfulness should have a place in everyone's life.
A wonderful post to come upon this morning. Thank you.
Life is definitely too busy sometimes. I find this really helps to slow it down a notch. That teacher was great, I wonder if the other children from my class still remember this exercise?
You are most welcome and thank YOU for coming by and having a read.
It was not only a read, it was a gentle reminder 💙
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So few people take the time to open themaelves to the things around them, I think because people are so preoccupied with their lives and the distractions that it holds. It's fast-paced these days, people make it so and therefore people miss the little things, the life all around them.
I like this senses thing and am interested to see where you take it. I think it's a great idea to find mindfulness and to open oneself to...everything. This could be a cool series. ✅
Hi Galen
Thanks so much, I'm glad you like it. I think it's such a useful exercise especially when you can feel yourself getting overwhelmed or rattled. Being able to just slow down and receive what there is that we take for granted, well, it's a beautiful thing really.
I am hoping that some others might also pick it up and write how it changes your perspective in just a few minutes. Thank you for the encouragement, let's see how it might evolve.
Hope you're having a wonderful night.
I might do one...maybe, what I feel with my hands. Could be interesting.
See how interesting it would be? 😉
Sounds great. I think it would turn out well. Burgers and Lego at the same time? That would end badly for the Lego I think. This could be a great idea for a writing prompt... inconvenient combinations. Can you imagine?
Hmm, LEGO and burgers...That's a conundrum as I rarely say no to either.
Well, I'm not surprised. I finally got to satiate my burger craving. It was fantastic so thank you for that :) Nothing like a good burger!