An Observation Practice for Morning

When everything is whirling at break neck speed everywhere you look, everywhere you go, in every fleeting fast and furious thought you have, what happens when instead of being part of the chaotic current, you lift your toe, and place your foot just outside the whirling frenzy? While you are still a part of the moment in time, you now become an observer of it too. When we can observe ourselves inside a moment, we slow time.

We all have lots to do. Hello Holidays. We all have our wrestles. No man an island, and truly from these last couple of years plus, we know we don't want to be one either. But, the pace quickens and we lose center, and it feels as if at times, we risk losing our minds too! I'd like to enjoy the holidays with a little more peace and love, with my mind at least relatively intact! Anyone?  A bit more bliss in the bustle, can be ours.

We become observers when we connect to our senses.

At the very moment your eyes open in bed, become aware. We can autopilot and risk losing connection to the here and nuance of now, to the blessing life is and we can do this for weeks or even years. Before your calendar opens, your heart is still beating and did so through the entire night. You have yet another day for life, another day for curiosity, another opportunity to grow, to shift, to contribute your own uniqueness, your very grand contribution to the world and you get to anticipate the notice of its unfolding.

Set your alarm 5 minutes earlier and promise yourself those 5 minutes will be to set intention for all the minutes to follow in the day's entirety. You don't want to press snooze for that! When you wake, lay in bed for an added moment as you begin to look around the room. In these dark winter mornings, perhaps you can only make outlines from shadows, but maybe the window blinds slightly parting and neighboring Christmas lit homes send in a bit of welcoming light. Imagine seeing the room and your belongings in it as though for the first time. Bring appreciation into your heart for them. Notice how your bedsheets and blankets feel on your skin and clothing. They are yours and they've kept you warm through the night. Stretch long with a deep breath. Reach your arms beyond your head, and your hands onto your bed's headboard, feeling grounded from the surface it provides and your length in your reach. Breathe into all of you. Roll to your side, stretching and experiencing the physical sensations of being alive. In another minute, spiral your body and legs to the side edge of your bed and feel your feet touch ground. Bring awareness to your ability to raise your body onto your feet as you make your way across the floor. How does the carpeting or hard wood surface feel against them? Can you feel that grounding sensation again? How do your feet feel as they find cozy inside your slippers? Blessed are you in your leg strength, coordination and sensations of liveness. Intention for a moment inside a margin you created in order to notice, to pause, to slow time to your very life and the marvel of it. You are not meant to live in what can become uninterrupted modern day chaos. We have more dis-ease than ever and the overwhelming cause for much of it is stress. With only 5 extra minutes each morning, you can shift the energy for your whole day. You've stepped out of the current in order to become an observer, an intention setter, so that you can become a mindful, beautiful contributor to the world. Remember, only you light up the room the way you do. As you pass by your bedroom or bathroom mirror, go ahead and give yourself a smile. You've got some light to shine today.

I'll meet you on the mat with a smile and a hope for margins and moments this holiday season. Cheers to beautiful mornings makeovers.

Thanks for reading,
Jill💜