Mindfulness Insights
The act of mindfulness is being aware of your thoughts. It’s honoring the thoughts that do come. It’s being aware of what's around you, what you feel physically, what you feel emotionally, what you see with your eyes, what you see with your eyes closed, or even what you taste and smell. Recently, I’ve been aware of the thought that there was a part of me that was feeling neglected.
Over the past month or so, I have filled many roles. I have taken on many responsibilities that needed tending to, but in the process I neglected to take care of me. Not in a physical sense - I still ate well, bathed, and exercised. Not in a self care way - I still did my yoga, read books, and consciously enjoyed hobbies of mine. But in a way that left my soul feeling detached. As I listened to my inner voice I became aware that the wild woman in me needed to be nourished.
I needed time to let my responsibilities go, to step out of the many roles that I carry and reconnect with myself. Music has always been a way that I tap into the energy of being free. I originally had no intention of going to this particular music festival. There was something about this place that no longer called to me the way it once did. But given my recent insights, it seemed the universe was guiding me to attend. I resolved that in going I would attend with boundaries and that I would stay only two nights.
Leading up to the event, I had alone time in my own house, which rarely happens. It felt good to just relax and do whatever I wanted. To have the house cleaned, and kept that way. To have peace, and stillness. To smell the calmness of a candle burning in the quiet evening.
At the time I was finishing a different book called Braving the Wilderness. This book had spoken to me as I scanned the self help section of Half Priced Books. It is written by Brene Brown. I have enjoyed her writing and her talks previously, and something about this book called to me. The message within is about True Belonging. It’s about being your authentic self and embracing the ‘wilderness’. In this context, it refers to going with your own flow, which sometimes varies from those around you, and in doing so feeling the reward. It left me feeling empowered. It left me with new insights on how to handle different situations, and highlighted behaviors to change to benefit the greater good. It gave me the push I needed.
At this particular festival ground there is a quarry. I swam out into the deeper water, and floated. It is one of my favorite things to do. I let my breath do all the work, as I am suspended between the clouds and the ground. I love the way the water fills my ears and muffles the sounds. I love feeling the trickle of water rise and fall on my face with each breath I take. Within this stillness, I listened. “You don’t have to say good-bye, you can still welcome the past parts of you”. “You can do what feels best for you”. “What will best serve you?”. As I exited my headspace, and re-entered my body, I felt a sense of welcoming to this new chapter, and told the universe that I was ready for this metamorphosis that I was in.
That night, the music was splendid and I flowed in a way that brought life to me. A way that fed my soul.
I am learning how to step back into my wild woman self, while embracing the many roles I carry. What has been beautiful about this experience is the universe bringing me together with women who share that same passion and energy. Women who practice mindfulness, and embrace empowerment. Women who accept each other for their authentic selves. Who holds space for vulnerability and growth.
Sometimes, mindfulness can bring us calmness, or heighten the taste of a piece of chocolate, or even guide us to insights that open doors to new chapters. All we have to do is listen.
Sincerely,
Sarah
