One of my yoga teachers recently said something in a practice that sticks with me. She said, "Lose your mind and come to your senses!" It's such a simple statement with a simple message that's not so simple to put into practice.
We are constantly bombarded with mental stimuli; we are constantly asked, by others and ourselves, to make judgements and solve problems, the wheels of our minds are always turning, sometimes with so much force that they are all we notice; we get caught up in our world of logic, and though it's useful, it sometimes needs to be put on the back burner so we can get back in touch with our senses, our wonderful senses.
When was the last time you stopped to appreciate the pure joy of sunshine on your face, the warmth it provides, the happiness it bestows, the life that it gives us?
When was the last time you actually did stop and smell the roses, or the sea air, or that wonderful earthy smell in the forest after it rains?
When was the last time you took a bite a food and noticed the wonderful layers of the flavor instead of just "scarfing it down" while you watched the news or hurried on your way to some other appointment?
When was the last time you appreciated something, anything, simply for it's beauty and not for what it was useful for?
When was the last time you stopped to enjoy the sounds of the waves crashing, or the birds chirping, or your favorite song, or maybe even the silence?
Many of us don't take the time to appreciate all the joys that our senses can bring us on a daily basis; we miss out because we are stuck in our minds.
I encourage you to take the time to notice the small things around you, all of the things that your senses can take in, let them guide you for a day. Enjoy your friends' laughter, the taste of the wine on your tongue, the breeze on your face, the beautiful building your drive by on your way to work or the wonderful aroma coming out of your neighbor's (or maybe even your) kitchen. Let these little things bring you joy; give thanks for the wonderful body you inhabit and the beautiful world we live in that lets you notice all of these things.
There is a time for thinking and a time for simply being - allow yourself the freedom to do both.
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