“Wherever you go, there you are. Wherever you are, you can be”. What does this mean to you?

Does it sound like hogwash? Just another ‘one of those phrases”?  I would not be surprised if you blurted out “whatever”.

My purpose of sharing these statements is that ‘where you are, you can be”, brings me to realizing that we have full control of how we want to interact and live in the moment.  For example, just being able to “be” can permit you a sense of stillness and being present with self. Being quiet in this place within our own mind for a few uninterrupted moments gives us an opportunity to sit with our self, think, be calm, and claim our purpose, and intention for the day. It heightens one’s sense of mindfulness, so we can state to our self what we are grateful for, and even see an action that we what to take to be more Present in our life throughout this day. It wasn’t just to have you roll your eyes and move on!

There is a lot of hype around mindfulness these days. Magazines, articles and even apps are available to get people to connect and slow down and take in the world around them and interact with a sense of intention an purpose.

When we race and charge through a day and don’t remember red lights, how we got to work, what was going on yesterday, and yet we are fast to remember all the things we must do for others, work and bills to pay. This calls for a massive crusade to get people to slow it down and STOP.  I’m sure you have heard it from a parent or friend, ’stop and smell the roses”, so I ask, “when did you last stop and smell the roses?”

Nature offers us a great lesson on how to be mindful. It shows us change slowly and gradually, but we can miss it completely if we are not present in the moment. This is often how we miss a lot of our life and experiences, A nice daily practice is to set on your calendar an hour a day for YOU. It may be before you start your day, or at the end of the day. During this time, sit in a comfortable position with your eyes closed or relaxed, not focused on anything, and just breathe. Listen to your breathing and focus on the breadth. After a few minutes, control your breathing with inhaling to the count of four, holding your breadth for 7 counts, and releasing the breadth slowly through your lips for a count of eight. Continue this for several minutes (six to twelve).

Then, sit quietly. Feel your body in a relaxed state. Become aware of your state of calm. Think about your intention for the day. I like to let my mind’s eye open to “being present in my interactions with my surroundings.”

Then, identify three things that you are grateful for in your life. Mine change from day to day, but my foundation is a gratitude for the love I receive from my family members, the joy of being able to serve others, and that I have nice opportunities that await me.” What do you find yourself grateful for today?

Before I leave this relaxed state of ‘my time’, I look ahead to the day and visualize an action plan so that my intention and gratitude, and my focus is always grounded in every action and encounter that I have.

Shortly after this is completed, I take a few deep breaths, stretch out my arms to the ceiling, get up and open my eyes, ready and willing to embrace a new day. This is not nirvana, however, it’s closer to connecting with the world and making a mindful effort to be integrated in my life, then just having another day pass by unconsciously.

It’s worth a try. I encourage to take the step and try it for a week and see what changes you experience.  Today is the day you must wake up and live. If you wait for that something to happen, or that someday to come, you may never experience the joy and freshness of being fully mindful, present, and filled with gratitude throughout your day.

Please share your experiences with this process…where does it take you and how does it help you?

In the meantime, happy and safe travels!

Namaste,

Santa