As you know, it’s been a stressful time of late and I’ve realised I stress about stressing, which kind of makes for a vicious cycle! So I’ve made a point of going back to remembering my lessons in mindfulness, reading Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Full Catastrophe Living, focusing on my breath and being more aware. And then, in that wonderfully synchronous way that things happen, I found this post over at Carol’s blog. It couldn’t be more appropriate to the moment. As Carol says, sometimes it’s important just to stop and remember what’s going on around us.
I can see
My Tigger mug, now empty of hot chocolate
The property section of the newspaper
Fluffy white clouds rolling across a blue sky
The leaves of the Australian Cherry Tree rustling in the breeze
The calendar created and sent to me by my wonderful blog buddy, Tessa, the Aerial Armadillo
A beaded red rose and a beaded sheep
Photographs and memories
My corkboard covered in synopses and images of my WIP
Beady eyed beaded sheep
The weekend's property section from the newspaper
Tessa's wonderful calendarI can hear
The heating humming behind me
A hadeda ibis screeching in the sky
My fingers tapping on the keyboard
A guinea fowl ba-kaaking in the gum tree
Guinea fowl in his treeI can feel
A chill in my bones as an early spring breeze drifts through the open door
The grip of my boots around my feet
The weight of my glasses on the bridge of my nose
The ache in my neck from too much stress
My corkboard...I can touch
The keys of my keyboard
The smooth wood of my desk
The warmth of a newly brewed cup of tea
The wool of my sweater under my fingers
Photographs and memoriesI can smell
Spring in the air
The winter jasmine which is still flowering
Warm dust wafting up from the heat of my computer
Paper and books
The remnants of chocolate on my fingers
The hint of vanilla in my empty chocolate mug
Winter flowering jasmine
Books and more books
Spring clouds behind the Australian Cherry TreeI can taste
Memories of chocolate
Freshly made tea
My empty Tigger mug... Thanks to Carol and FireByrd for posting this. Why not give it a go, and if you do, let me know!
22 comments:
Yes, stopping to smell the roses or refocusing on the smaller details is a sensible way to ground ourselves and not be overwhelmed by the bigger things that cause such stress at times in our lives.
I know this sort of exercise has worked for me in times of stress.
Love it love it love it :-). It's great to get a glimpse into your world and, since I'm on a diet at the moment, I am most jealous of your chocolate with vanilla!!
Gorgeous photos and I'm loving Tessa's calender...she's a talented cookie isn't she!
C x
Just run out and jump up and down a few times, Nicky! We have quite a storm here today (yesterday even a small tornado! Here!) so I love to run out and enjoy the wind. it blows away all stress and tenseness. Your pictures are so nice. I also have Tessa`s calendar on my desk!
Ahh . . nice to take in the scenery even if it is from the comfort of home. Love your mug but shouldn't that be a Kookaburra in the old gum tree?
What a lovely post. I can see 4 cups that need to go in the dishwasher, my nieces exam results jotted down in front of me, a pile of papers to be dealt with. I can smell my stinky dog. I can hear the wind knocking at the door. I can taste tea, need more. I can feel my dress slightly too tight, my heart full of happiness for my daughters bright future :O)
Lovely moment spent with you here. Thank you for sharing these precious treasures.
Ciao
Eleonora xx
I stopped to smell the ... bread ... and then did the mindfulness meditation, referring to you all the way. Here 'tis:
http://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2010/08/reading-ruminations.html
such an important and lovely post, N. Thanks!
Rob, one of the lessons/practices in Kabat-Zinn's stress reduction programmes is to take time out to simply be - to feel one's breath, to really be aware of the things around us. It really does help to calm us and ground us.
Carol, shall I pop some hot choc in the teleporter for you...? And yes, Tessa is ace! x
Well, I did run around madly at the gym, Geli, does that count? And then I froze to bits on the mountainside as a really chilly wind blew off the sea. Took my mind right off my stress - I was too cold to even think! :-)
Baino, I do believe you're right, it should be a kookaburra, but hey, this is Africa... ;-)
Oh Kathy so delighted about lovely daughter's wonderful results! Congratulations!
Grazie, Eleonora! xx
And I stopped off at yours, Bonnie and left a comment too! :-)
Aw, thanks, Sue x
wunderbra! :)
I'm sorry for your stressful times Nicky. I hope these things help you and i hope things calm down soon.
I've had great stress also lately, seems like several things happening at once is the way it works. I do the same things and i have been reading When things fall apart by Pema Chodren. I also put a breathing app on my iphone, it really really helps. It's been a good reminder to breathe, just because i know it's there.
and like Geli says, i take myself outside, up a trail or to the beach. It really does help.
take good care,
love,
lori
oh this is lovely and so clever. i am going to give it a try. thanks Nicky and i hope the pressure is lifted a bit now? take good care xx
Perfect! Mindfulness, being in the present, knowing that this is just a moment in our lives, to behold and sink our teeth into, tasting every bite.
Beautiful, Nicky!
Is feeling a sense? I am not sure.
I'll have to check out Kabat-Zinn, have a book by the Dalai Lama languishing in the tbr pile. Always important to de-stress and remember what's important. Thanks.
This is amazing Nicky. So inspiring and so true. Thank you for sharing this. Sometimes things get a little on top of me too and it is good to be reminded to stand back and put things into perspective. :)
Great window on your world, Nicky! I do love the jasmine.. I also have a Tessa calendar right by my desk - a true inspiration!
Sorry to hear of your mum's illness and your stress..
At least you have Tigger and the vanilla chocolate to keep up the flagging spirits from time to time!
Lovely.
Exhale Janet!
Thanks for the reminder Nicky
:-)
I love this! And I plan on doing it today...what a great exercise!
How lovely to see a part of your life. I do hope you feel better, and that you have remembered to take the time to smell the roses.
Excellentes photos. Excellent travail. Bon courage et bonne chance pour la suite.
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