with my senses I am connected with the moment, with life.
I can feel myself alive
when I open myself up to my sensory experiences, I experience the miracle of being alive.
and this miracle is immeasurably great, rich and beautiful – and I am standing in the middle of this miracle and am part of this life, this miracle
The smell and taste of the prepared compote of plums and figs fresh from the tree awakens joy and gratitude for these marvellous trees which every year offer these wonderful fruits in autumn, a joy for the eyes as well with its slightly transparent purple-red color. Most grateful when possibly perceiving a beautiful sunset with outer eyes as well as with the heart´s eye or when deeply grateful listening with inner and outer ears to music offered from a musician touching the soul with his art. Grateful as well for listening to outer and inner ears when sometimes having mentioned things too straight forward in order to fulfil sportive schedules but in a way as if it would be all mine to determine, for which i can only apologize to the ones concerned and hopefully do better next time. Deeply grateful for it all, for the richness provided through senses and its being echoed within, going deep, connecting deeply.
My eyes see the beauty of clear blue skies, large green trees shading homes from the hot sun,
and the kindness or the pain present in a stranger’s eyes.
My sense of smell fills me with the aroma of cinnamon buns in the oven,
fragrant flowers in the evening, and salt water sprayed air as I arrive at the beach.
My sense of hearing alerts me to the frogs croaking loudly after a rain filled day, my cats purring deeply,
or the laughter of friends finding humor in their day.
My sense of taste delights in avocado with a splash of lemon and a sprinkle of coarse salt.
My sense of touch delights in silky fur as I pet my cats, a hot mug of steaming tea on an early morning,
and my Mom’s loving hands as I hold them in mine.
How can I go through a day without gratefulness overflowing?
I want to stay in the present and be there for each moment in my life.
When I can tune into my senses, it’s
easy to find gratitude. When I am driving
to work and I suddenly notice the sunrise,
I am taken out of my thoughts, plans, or
rumination and thrown into the present
moment with gratitude.
A grateful perspective notices things I didn’t notice before I embraced gratefulness. Watching the grey squirrels run and chase each other up and down the trunk of a huge evergreen tree in my back yard or the 15 or 20 sparrows that live in my front yard bushes and I expect are thankful for the fresh water in my bird bath during the long summer drought we experienced this year and it touches touches my heart to watch them gather around the bath and drink.I also love to watch a robin or a blue jay take a bath in my backyard bird bath on a hot summer day. I might just stand on the back porch and say, “It looks like your having fun.” I’m happy for the comfort the water offers him or her. Looking at a full moon and realizing that everyone on earth sees the same moon. Gratefulness becomes a prayer of “Let us learn to break bread together.” I think of John Denver’s “Annie’s Song.” I could go on and on about senses awake gratefulness and gratefulness awakes my senses.
I relate to much of what you have written Carol!
Watching birds and squirrels in the morning,
feeling joyful when animals drink and splash in water left out for them on hot summer days.
Most of all, l too marvel when I look at a full moon
and I think about all the people in our world
who gaze at this same beautiful moon!
I think about how together we really are in this world.
I so enjoyed reading about you experiencing these joyful moments!
When I tune into my senses I pay attention to the everyday marvels around me. Mindfulness moments are gratefulness moments.
Yesterday I attuned to the mild air of fall as we took our long walk downtown, the vivid colors of fall blossoms and leaves, the twinkling sun on the water in the inlet, the marvel of perfect orb weaver spiderwebs guarding the wild blackberries along the road.
Currently top of mind: Hot French press coffee, bread I baked topped with a tomato I grew and local eggs. This is a week of travel for me and tuning into my senses will help me appreciate the journey.
The sense of hearing awakens gratefulness within me. The sound of my favorite song coming through a speaker makes me excited and singing along. The sound of the rain outside my bedroom window during a storm is comforting and allows me to snuggle up in bed with my dogs knowing there is nothing to do outside in the rain. Another one of my favorite sounds is of crickets and frogs on a summer night. This reminds me how grateful I am to have the summer off work and be out and about doing what I want with out a schedule.
The senses awaken gratefulness every day in some way – that first smell of fresh-brewed coffee in the morning. The sweet nectar I smell in the mountains that is unlike any smell on the coast. It reminds me of being a kid and all the vacations we took up here and in TN. Being in wonder of the mountains. I will never stop being in awe of their beauty. Hearing the birds in the morning. Hearing the kids having fun at soccer practice when we walk the track at the rec center. Petting my dogs, feeling their soft fur and the sense of love when they put their head in my lap. Drinking this delicious French brew with a touch of pumpkin spice creamer and all of the other many delicious things to taste, which reminds me – I am craving some artisan cheese and need to find some nearby!
I grateful for my smelt sense. For my good memories and hopes are awaken. The smell of cooked rice not only bring me back to the time I still live with my family in Vietnam, but the joyful dinners with my current family. I’m grateful for the smelt of coffee. No matter how yesterday end up with stresses and worries, the smelt of a morning coffee seems to clear up everything. My days start with fresh and hopeful mind.
My Ngoc, senses and memories go together. Just hearing my mom make a smoothie for everyone in the morning shows how she cares about everyone’s health and is one of the ways of her bringing the family closer.
The changing seasons and all the different smells and scenery of a new season. As we walk into Fall; there is the smell of trees and a changing air. The colors of the trees are muted to magnificent. Smells evoke memories too. How grateful I am for my senses and the opportunity to live and experience another day. This morning finds me in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Lake Superior…what a body of water…I would readily identify it as the ocean. The air is different …fresh air as opposed to salt air…and how Blessed to have the air to breathe. Thank you all and wishing you good health and a good day. Bless You.
There are so many aromas I can detect with the sense of smell. Most invoke a memory to well up in my mind. Fresh cut hay, the slight difference of smell livestock has on certain feeds, baking bread, damp earth, dry earth, wet dogs, my wet felt hats, snowfall, flowers, sage, the smell of the world above timberline, wisps of wood smoke from our stove in the cold morning air, the smell of fall to signal rest and the smell of spring to harken rebirth and renewal. I am grateful for the gift of another day of life. Namaste.
EJP, as an adventurous person, I totally understand that feeling. Everyday is an adventure. Based on Avril’s answer last week and my answer from a couple days ago, I realized that I misidentified myself as being reserved. It takes me time to open up. Once the environment feels more comfortable and compatible, I’m very socialable. Socialable and random fall under the same roof. When it works, it’s the former. If not, it’s the ladder.
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with my senses I am connected with the moment, with life.
I can feel myself alive
when I open myself up to my sensory experiences, I experience the miracle of being alive.
and this miracle is immeasurably great, rich and beautiful – and I am standing in the middle of this miracle and am part of this life, this miracle
The smell and taste of the prepared compote of plums and figs fresh from the tree awakens joy and gratitude for these marvellous trees which every year offer these wonderful fruits in autumn, a joy for the eyes as well with its slightly transparent purple-red color. Most grateful when possibly perceiving a beautiful sunset with outer eyes as well as with the heart´s eye or when deeply grateful listening with inner and outer ears to music offered from a musician touching the soul with his art. Grateful as well for listening to outer and inner ears when sometimes having mentioned things too straight forward in order to fulfil sportive schedules but in a way as if it would be all mine to determine, for which i can only apologize to the ones concerned and hopefully do better next time. Deeply grateful for it all, for the richness provided through senses and its being echoed within, going deep, connecting deeply.
Beautiful Ose..
And that compote sounds wonderful!
My eyes see the beauty of clear blue skies, large green trees shading homes from the hot sun,
and the kindness or the pain present in a stranger’s eyes.
My sense of smell fills me with the aroma of cinnamon buns in the oven,
fragrant flowers in the evening, and salt water sprayed air as I arrive at the beach.
My sense of hearing alerts me to the frogs croaking loudly after a rain filled day, my cats purring deeply,
or the laughter of friends finding humor in their day.
My sense of taste delights in avocado with a splash of lemon and a sprinkle of coarse salt.
My sense of touch delights in silky fur as I pet my cats, a hot mug of steaming tea on an early morning,
and my Mom’s loving hands as I hold them in mine.
How can I go through a day without gratefulness overflowing?
I want to stay in the present and be there for each moment in my life.
Love the way you addressed so many of our senses.
Thank you Carol!
When I can tune into my senses, it’s
easy to find gratitude. When I am driving
to work and I suddenly notice the sunrise,
I am taken out of my thoughts, plans, or
rumination and thrown into the present
moment with gratitude.
A grateful perspective notices things I didn’t notice before I embraced gratefulness. Watching the grey squirrels run and chase each other up and down the trunk of a huge evergreen tree in my back yard or the 15 or 20 sparrows that live in my front yard bushes and I expect are thankful for the fresh water in my bird bath during the long summer drought we experienced this year and it touches touches my heart to watch them gather around the bath and drink.I also love to watch a robin or a blue jay take a bath in my backyard bird bath on a hot summer day. I might just stand on the back porch and say, “It looks like your having fun.” I’m happy for the comfort the water offers him or her. Looking at a full moon and realizing that everyone on earth sees the same moon. Gratefulness becomes a prayer of “Let us learn to break bread together.” I think of John Denver’s “Annie’s Song.” I could go on and on about senses awake gratefulness and gratefulness awakes my senses.
I relate to much of what you have written Carol!
Watching birds and squirrels in the morning,
feeling joyful when animals drink and splash in water left out for them on hot summer days.
Most of all, l too marvel when I look at a full moon
and I think about all the people in our world
who gaze at this same beautiful moon!
I think about how together we really are in this world.
I so enjoyed reading about you experiencing these joyful moments!
Mary, Thanks for your kind words.
When I tune into my senses I pay attention to the everyday marvels around me. Mindfulness moments are gratefulness moments.
Yesterday I attuned to the mild air of fall as we took our long walk downtown, the vivid colors of fall blossoms and leaves, the twinkling sun on the water in the inlet, the marvel of perfect orb weaver spiderwebs guarding the wild blackberries along the road.
Currently top of mind: Hot French press coffee, bread I baked topped with a tomato I grew and local eggs. This is a week of travel for me and tuning into my senses will help me appreciate the journey.
“Mindfulness moments are gratefulness moments.” – love this
Tuning in to my senses – what I smell, see, taste, hear, and feel – can all inspire gratefulness if I stop to pay attention at any given moment.
The sense of hearing awakens gratefulness within me. The sound of my favorite song coming through a speaker makes me excited and singing along. The sound of the rain outside my bedroom window during a storm is comforting and allows me to snuggle up in bed with my dogs knowing there is nothing to do outside in the rain. Another one of my favorite sounds is of crickets and frogs on a summer night. This reminds me how grateful I am to have the summer off work and be out and about doing what I want with out a schedule.
The senses awaken gratefulness every day in some way – that first smell of fresh-brewed coffee in the morning. The sweet nectar I smell in the mountains that is unlike any smell on the coast. It reminds me of being a kid and all the vacations we took up here and in TN. Being in wonder of the mountains. I will never stop being in awe of their beauty. Hearing the birds in the morning. Hearing the kids having fun at soccer practice when we walk the track at the rec center. Petting my dogs, feeling their soft fur and the sense of love when they put their head in my lap. Drinking this delicious French brew with a touch of pumpkin spice creamer and all of the other many delicious things to taste, which reminds me – I am craving some artisan cheese and need to find some nearby!
I grateful for my smelt sense. For my good memories and hopes are awaken. The smell of cooked rice not only bring me back to the time I still live with my family in Vietnam, but the joyful dinners with my current family. I’m grateful for the smelt of coffee. No matter how yesterday end up with stresses and worries, the smelt of a morning coffee seems to clear up everything. My days start with fresh and hopeful mind.
My Ngoc, senses and memories go together. Just hearing my mom make a smoothie for everyone in the morning shows how she cares about everyone’s health and is one of the ways of her bringing the family closer.
The changing seasons and all the different smells and scenery of a new season. As we walk into Fall; there is the smell of trees and a changing air. The colors of the trees are muted to magnificent. Smells evoke memories too. How grateful I am for my senses and the opportunity to live and experience another day. This morning finds me in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Lake Superior…what a body of water…I would readily identify it as the ocean. The air is different …fresh air as opposed to salt air…and how Blessed to have the air to breathe. Thank you all and wishing you good health and a good day. Bless You.
My senses make me more present, observant, and more in-tuned with my feelings.
There are so many aromas I can detect with the sense of smell. Most invoke a memory to well up in my mind. Fresh cut hay, the slight difference of smell livestock has on certain feeds, baking bread, damp earth, dry earth, wet dogs, my wet felt hats, snowfall, flowers, sage, the smell of the world above timberline, wisps of wood smoke from our stove in the cold morning air, the smell of fall to signal rest and the smell of spring to harken rebirth and renewal. I am grateful for the gift of another day of life. Namaste.
Stop. Look. Go. – Be Present
Thank You.
The sights and smells of an autumn day awaken my gratefulness for this new season, a fresh start with abundance of opportunities and possibilities.
EJP, as an adventurous person, I totally understand that feeling. Everyday is an adventure. Based on Avril’s answer last week and my answer from a couple days ago, I realized that I misidentified myself as being reserved. It takes me time to open up. Once the environment feels more comfortable and compatible, I’m very socialable. Socialable and random fall under the same roof. When it works, it’s the former. If not, it’s the ladder.