Crunch sounded beneath my hiking sandals; the rhythmic call of damp sand. It rained last night, and gratefully I can report – it poured. It wasn’t a long rain, but strong enough to wake me and kick into action thoughts about what we’d left outside, vulnerable to the elements. Well, too late now.
I am calmed by the sound of the gravel under my feet. It is like an element of life guaranteed to be there, something stable, firm, dependable. As dog and I descend our hill the erosion from the rain and my still somewhat sleepy (and stumbling) self combine together to shift my body to the left and then the right, no doubt bringing curiosity to the mind of the casual observer. In truth, I am not completely awake and my body is trying to catch up and maintain balance all while walking down a bumpy road.
Expecting leftover cloud coverage, I am happy to see the bright sky. Moon is a sliver and just heading up over the eastern sky, so darkness prevails and the stars and planets shine brightly. Seeing Jupiter through an opening in the maples, I know Orion is just to the right so I watch for his protective stance in the morning sky as we head down the hill.
Dependability. Like the sound of the crunching sand, things that are dependable can ease any anxiety I gather up during the day. A candle lit, a walk with the dog, a warm beverage in my favorite mug, all are ways I can start (or end) my day in the comforting form of ritual. The predictability of these things drains away the turmoil of the day and brings me a form of peace, after a day where nothing seems within my control. Pausing with an experience that awakens my senses offers me moments of calm that may be harder to find if I hadn’t taken the time to pause.
How do you ignite your senses? If it is not part of your day, I invite you to notice, to observe where you find comfort in your day. Create a rhythm that engages your eyes, smells, taste, touch, sound… Chose one or two and develop a ritual tailored just for you, to bring a needed aspect into your day – something that speaks directly to you. I would love to hear what emerged for you. Please share your ritual below.
Have a beautiful experience in this amazing world. Andrea
Andrea Tatley 