Being In The Present

When we think about being in the present more often than not we think about stilling our mind and focusing our mind on the here and now. While this is a very big part of being in the present there are also other aspects that help us ‘be’.

Our senses for example play a pivotal part in how we feel and what we are. Walking barefoot in the garden with the grass tickling my feet, the smell of flowers and the birds chirping while the warmth of the sun caresses my cheeks makes me feel so alive.

So how can you use your senses to help you live in the moment?

Sight:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say so what is beautiful to you? Flowers are beautiful to me, especially red and white roses. You can’t beat a classic! If you have a vision board of all the things you want from life you can use the images on your board to inspire you or take your inspiration from nature or a work of art.

Touch:

Touch is very important. How do we feel when we’re touched by a loved one, that hug, that cuddle, it makes us feel so good. When I’m ill even though I’m a grown woman my mum’s gentle touch on my forehead still makes me feel so much better. Pampering yourself and going for a massage is a great way to feel the benefits of touch and Yoga is a great way to massage your internal organs.

Taste:

That decadent chocolate cake or authentic New York cheesecake … yum! It’s good to indulge once in a while but it’s not all about being naughty and nice. One of my greatest childhood memories and a taste that I can remember and ‘taste’ to this day is the sourness and crispness of the apples in the apple tree in our garden. My Grand dad and I would pick the apples from the tree and he would cut them into slices and we would sit on the step by the back door and enjoy the apples together … you can’t buy memories or a taste like that.

Smell:

Vanilla, coconut, lilies … the list could go on and on … The sense of smell can stir strong physical and emotional feelings in all of us. How often does a smell of something remind us of someone or something? Nature provides us with some fantastic scents, the smell of freshly cut grass, flowers and fruits whilst Aromatherapy oils and scented candles can help relax and calm us.

Listening:

Music has the power to lift you up when you’re down, it can energise you, calm you and make you want to get up and dance. Music can inspire and motivate you. I have different playlists for different moods, there’s a piece of music or a song out there for every occasion.