Surround yourself with beautiful things. When there is too much going on in the world and there is limited control over our lives, it’s important to find little ways to be joyful. Surround yourself with pictures of loved ones, with flowers, with good books and wholesome TV shows, with great company, with the nice mug that makes your morning coffee just a little bit more joyful. Whatever it is, find ways that can bring you joy and focus in on them.
It doesn’t have to be costly, it doesn’t have to be materialistic, it’s just about creating a space and moments that will allow you to be with beauty instead of everything else that you have on your plate. It can play a powerful role in strengthening our resilience and helping us recharge. The most effective way to do this is by immersing ourselves in nature, whether it be through bird watching, walking in the park, looking up at the sky etc. finding ways to embrace the beauty and miracle of nature always recharges our bodies and minds.
Lately I’ve started noticing the butterflies and the Kookaburra’s that fly around the little tiny bushland that is outside of my studio. They’re not always around, so when they do decide to show up I try to stop everything I’m doing and just watch them. Watching these beautiful creatures has awakened so much within myself. They don’t speak and yet they share so much wisdom through the way they show up in this world. When you start observing them you can notice their patience, their calmness, their focus, movements, contentment etc. You start noticing their life forces and their energy, their beauty and uniqueness. Eventually, through observing them you can start observing yourself and what they inspire in you.
Even trees can teach us so much, the way they persevere through all sorts of weather, no matter the bends and the wobbles along the way, their roots just keep getting stronger and stronger. A couple of days ago as I was doing my morning yoga I noticed a particular tree swaying back and forth. The remainder of the trees were pretty stable and unphased by the wind so I got curious and paid closer attention. In doing so I realised that the tree that was swaying was the youngest amongst them all, with the thinest trunk. I couldn’t help but giggle at how much I resonated with that tree in my 20’s, I felt like I swayed back and forth with changing conditions, whilst others around me were stable and calm. But this also helped me realise that it now takes really strong winds to shake me and that I’m on my way to becoming more and more firm in my roots.
I’m starting to recognise that in the midst of the wind, the chaos and the uncertainties of life, I can find small ways to cultivate beauty and that can help me recharge my mind, soul and body. Surrounding myself with little moments and reminders of beauty will help me cultivate more peace, joy and contentment. Like everything else, it’s a practice and with that practice eventually comes growth and evolution.
Love Always,
M
Souloom™ 