22
May
Some aspects slip through our fingers. It doesn’t have to be something saddening or dramatic, more like breaths of sand escaping from our grasp on a breezy beach day. Just something that happens from time to time. However, we must remember to pick it up, in order to admire it (or make a regal sand castle).
At the break of summer, when everything is about the big things –vacations, bucket lists, goals, plans – I do think it’s important to go back to the basics. Back to the foundation that supports each one of us. For this purpose, I have prepared a couple of things we shouldn’t forget, now and as often as we remember not to forget:
1. Smelling the peonies
Or roses, or lilies or whatever you have near and dear to you and your current location. Sometimes, when all the peonies have already closed their enchanting petals, I realize I didn’t take full advantage of this miracle. They’re probably my favorite flowers (alongside hyacinths, no idea why I keep choosing such seasonal ones) and I am lucky enough to pass them each day in the later part of May. I also try to have them in my house at all times during their season.
This is a tiny conscious effort I make that revitalizes my entire being. It is said that smell is the strongest instigator of memories. Each time I come in contact with the delicious scent of a peony, I get reminded of all the beautiful springs I experienced growing up. Such a simple way of making the mundane feel extraordinary, as if you were idly walking through a gallery of dreams.
2. Looking for four-leaf clovers
This mission is one I look forward to each time I go out on a walk (which is quite often). Not only is it a whimsical ritual that makes me feel deep excitement for something simple, but it also “forces” me to take a break and look around me. You can take it a step further, making it even more whimsical (seems impossible, but it isn’t!) by deciding upon a recipient for the potential clover.
Today, a lady was pushing a baby stroller in the park. I thought that if I found a cutely mutated clover in that area, I would gift it to the child. Other times, I think about a friend who would benefit from a bit of nature’s luck. Oftentimes though, I forage the little guy just for myself and store it cozily between the pages of a beloved book. My precious luck source.
Last year, I was walking home with my boyfriend carrying around the giraffe toy he had won for me at a charity event. We were wondering what name would be suitable for her. Nothing seemed to fit her well enough. Then, my eyes happened to land upon a four-leaf clover, as if it was waiting for me specifically. If that wasn’t magical enough already, we continued on our path and after not even one minute, I found another one!
Naturally, I had to name my new plushy Clover.
3. Walking with your head up
I catch myself facing the pavement whenever I go outside. At first, I tried to hide behind the logistics of this action. For example that I have to look at what’s in front of me in order to not fall down or slip on something. Or that the sun was getting in my eyes. Or any other kind of feasible explanation I would tell myself on that occasion.
However, it was more about what this gesture symbolized: a general fear and weariness, a belief that the world is there to harm me and stop me from safely arriving to my location. That the world was bad and I had to always be on the lookout. And I truly don’t want to be living that way. Whatever you believe, the Universe gives to you.
That’s when I decided that I wanted to believe that others would smile at me. That the sun only gently caresses me with its rays. My feet will find their way on their own, one step at a time. Without constantly worrying about that, my neck felt relieved, so did my back and shoulders. I had the possibility to admire everything that was around and above me, for what was below my gaze did never compare to it.
But most of all, I now had the time to smell the flowers and look for lucky clovers.
4. Breathing before starting
Super important, but always forgetting it. Why? Maybe because it is ridiculously simple and ridiculously effective and my brain can’t comprehend how such a tool can exist. The best part is that it applies to every situation. Wanting to say something rash and mean? Take a deep breath before opening up your mouth. Chances are the words will lose all their flame and vice in the process. Maybe your voice will be softer and the words won’t need to be in the shape of arrows. You will be reminded that your cupid’s bow was made for kisses and not battles.
Breathing before doing something scary or overwhelming reminds one that they are safely in their body, their whole being is supporting them through this challenging event. More importantly, whatever happens, you will still be there for yourself at the end of the road. Perhaps that’s the only guiding light you need. A single profound breath is enough to signal the ships back to shore.
5. Deciding to not stress out about something
You might frown when reading this last piece of advice. I get it, I probably would too. However, this step, similar to breathing before doing, doesn’t have to be heavy on your soul. It might sound too good to be true, but you have the power to simply decide how you react to a situation.
For example, before freshman year of high school, I experienced a nasty event regarding an exam. It affected me deeply, especially considering how my support system reacted to it. I remember thinking about all the belly aches I had before math tests and all the nights I would waste dreaming about memorized poems and confusing definitions. I told myself no more. It is not worth it. My physical health, my sleep and my general state of well-being are way more precious than some stupid grades.
From that moment on, I made a promise to myself, namely that I wouldn’t stress out about academic stuff anymore. No matter their importance or relevance. None of it was above me. Of course, this mindset didn’t stick from the first try. I had to pick it off the ground and superglue it back over my thoughts. At some point, it became the main path my mind chose. And, believe me, it feels so light! Whenever I have an exam, presentation or anything of that nature, my first instinct isn’t to panic. That gives me a lot of space to get ready, be organized with the material and also allow myself to enjoy my life in the process.
I am not saying the process won’t follow the trial and error format. I am merely suggesting that all the trial and error is worth it once you get a taste of how beautiful life is when you don’t worry about pointless (in the grand scheme of things) details. If something “undesired” happens, I go with “this needed to happen in order for me to experience even more happiness and abundance”. I know that it is just all part of the plan.
So there you have it, a modest list of beautiful habits you can try out literally now! No materials needed, no planning needed. You just need yourself, a quiet moment or a walkable path. You can even mix them up in any cool way you want to. The peonies can be in your head (think a pleasant, flower-scented memory you would like to return to) and the thoughts can be walking alongside you (maybe taking an evening walk with a friend and exchanging feelings and contemplations).
Everything has blossomed around you and I bet your stunning self would love to follow the same pattern!
