“Many people are alive but don’t touch the miracle of being alive.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
We live so much of our lives asleep. We escape into our phones, TV, alcohol, drugs… we do everything we can not to feel suffering. But if we are never present to our suffering, we may also be shutting ourselves off from joy, laughter, and love.
In order to touch the miracle of being alive, all you have to do is take a slow breath in through your nose, pulling the air all the way down into your belly, and exhale through your mouth. Become aware again of this miraculous thing our bodies do automatically to keep us alive, which we take for granted – breathing.
In order to touch the miracle of being alive, become present in your body. What is your posture? Where are you holding tension? Where are there aches and pains? Do any muscles feel relaxed?
In order to touch the miracle of being alive, look at what is around you. What kind of room are you in? Notice the shadows and patches of light. Notice the textures and fabrics. Identify the colors – are they saturated? Muted? Notice the beauty in the ordinary. Everything is exactly as it should be. You are exactly where you are supposed to be right now, doing what you are supposed to be doing.
In order to touch the miracle of being alive, savor every moment with loved ones. Soak up their presence like sunlight. Be present to joyful moments, and the moments of suffering, too. Because even in moments of suffering, you have one another, and the love for each other that is there like a bedrock.
Have a mindful Monday.
-Rebecca