Charlene is a journey of mindful health and self-care
Posted on 06/30/2013 @ 2:53 PM
This morning I enjoyed a wonderful multi-sensory mindful walk. Using the “intention and attention” definition of mindfulness, I walked unplugged. No MP3 player. No cell phone. No watch. Not even a pedometer this time. Hearing: Immediately after opening the front door to step outside I heard one of my favorite sounds…Michigan songbirds. I walked to their unique and beautiful music, including the special solo of a soulful morning dove. Smell: My early morning walk after last night’s storm offered the cleanest, clearest air and the wonderful scents of pine and flowering trees. So sweet. Sights: A stream, a pond, ducks, geese, two herons—one grey, one white—flowers, grass, leaves, pine needles, beautifully manicured lawns, wonderfully vibrant gardens, lovely homes, and an exquisite canopy of trees inviting me to walk down their road. And then, trees, trees, trees and more trees. I love every single one of them! Tastes: A reminiscent taste of cherries as I watched a man who stopped during his morning bike ride to pick some cherries from a tree on a vacant piece of land. (Yep, food suggestible…now I want cherries too.) The awareness of how much sweeter the glass of water that I drank after my walk tasted than the glass I drank before my walk. Thoughts: My protective mind reminding me that if I turn left here, I won’t have to walk back up that hill on my return home. “Thanks for the suggestion, but today I’m ready to give myself that small challenge.” A later thought recommending that I’d better turn around now and reminding me I still have to walk back home, “Thanks for that suggestion, yep, that’s a good idea.” Overall, a very cooperative mind this morning that enjoyed all the sights and sounds. Body Sensations: The feeling of the pine cones beneath my feet as I walked along a small wooded area, the very slight breeze on my face, arms and legs, the loosening of my muscles as I walked, and the urge of my body to walk faster. I could sense it requesting more movement. It felt amazingly good. Emotions: A simple sadness as I noticed 3 trees along the way that couldn’t withstand the strong winds of last night’s storm. A feeling of appreciation for the friendly wave from a passing neighbor. A powerful gratitude for the beauty of summer and my decision to take some time to experience it mindfully, intentionally, and attentively.
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