Be Here Now

This morning, I step outside, feel the rush of cool air and the rain on my face; I breathe deeply, releasing all cares.  I imagine a current of light that grounds me to the earth as I experience the fullness of this moment: birdsong, raindrops, deep greening grass, tulips now opening....

 This is mindfulness: simply being, fully aware and attentive as I move through this day, each moment flowing into the next.  It is active meditation, practicing this art of simply being, with no attachment to outcome, no worry for the future, no regrets from the past.

I admit, this is a struggle for me , as I suspect it is for most people.  There is simply so much mental chatter that occupies us most of the time in our daily routines that it can be very challenging to just "be", without our mind's constant running commentary.

Mindfulness is something of a buzz word these days, making its way into the news, and schools as well as businesses are incorporating mindfulness training into their programs.  Clearly, there is great need for this in our increasingly technology driven and frenetic world.

People crave simplicity, even as their lives become more and more complex.  Active meditation brings us back to our childhoods and a more authentic expression of our selves. If you've ever walked outside with a young child, you know that stopping along the way to examine a bug, smell a flower or pick up an acorn, can turn a short stroll into an afternoon of adventure!

 

  Let small children be our teachers in this, the art of simply being.  

 Breathe, look around, notice the small things, smell the earth, listen to the sounds of the morning, allow all busy thought to drift away like the clouds in the sky...be empowered for this day.